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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: bruce wells <brucewells_797@msn.com>
Reply-To: <brucewells1@jmail.co.za>
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 21:19:50 +0000
Subject: Attention;Sir/Madam,



REF-INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$5.5Million)This time we are notifying you about this said fund. After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us . This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of (US$5.5Million) claims, that has been held on since it has to be transfered into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with this bank. We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by trying to get the funds released to you, which has been the handwork of some bad elements from this Country. We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence from them,or anywhere concerning your funds, We know your representatives in anywhere will advice you to still go ahead with them, which will be on your own risk. Your (US$5.5Million) will reflect in your designated bank account within ten Bank working days. Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund. Finally, you are adviced to re-comfirm your valid documents to us and your contact address Telephone and Fax Number for easy communication.
Yours sincerely Mr Bruce Wells, Remmittance Director, Central Bank of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam