419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.JAMES WILLIAMS" <compensation@compensation.org>
Reply-To: mr.ben.maurice1@live.com
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:00:19 +0200 (SAST)
Subject: CONTACT MR BEN MAURICE FOR YOUR COMPENSATION FUNDS NOW
(+2348030953167)

Dear Friend Am Mr.James Williams,

How are you today? I Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope
this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using this opportunity To
thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transaction and transfer
of your international bank draft coequal to you from the Bank am sorry
for presenting and using someone else in your name to get this transaction
successful. Due to logistic reasons and your Inconsistence to the other
best known to you. Right now, I want to inform you that I have
successfully cleared the bank draft check fund To someone else account who
was capable of assisting me in this great venture that have been over and
successfully.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at
the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my
Gratitude to you with the sum of $1.5 million USD (One million five
hundred thousand United States Dollars) I have authorized MR. BEN MAURICE
where I deposited my money to issue you international certified bank draft
cashable cheque at your bank or anywhere as choice felt. My dear friend I
will like you to contact MR. BEN MAURICE for the collection of this
international certified bank draft.

Contact Address for Your Cheque is, View Below

CONTACT AGENT: Name: MR. BEN MAURICE
Email: mr.ben.maurice1@live.com
Phone Number: {+234}8030953167

Contact MR. BEN MAURICE At the moment, I?m very busy here in the united
kingdom because of the investment projects which myself and my new
Partners are having at hand In China since you were unable to go on, been
also unserious with the transaction that i purposed to you. Finally
remember That I have forwarded instruction to MR. BEN MAURICE on your
behalf to send the bank draft cheque of $1.5 million USD (One million
five hundred thousand United States Dollars) to you as soon as you contact
him without delay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good
faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you soon as
you've gotting my compensation and please do not get angry Because that is
what i have for now till i finish my project in China. For proper
recognition for MR. BEN MAURICE to know that you are the reall person that
came from me for him to release the Cheque i assigned for you, send him
your information?s below:

1, Full Name............................
2, Address of Residence:.................
3, country from:...................
4, Telephone Number:..................
5, Occupation......................
6, Age:..................

Remember to attach an identity of your self when contact MR. BEN MAURICE
your claim such as international passport of your self/ drivers License is
accepted to identify your self to him that i asked you to contact him for
your cheque. Till Then, Bye for Now.

And please less i forgot remember that it is just the $440 for the
delivery that you will pay to him so he can complete your transaction and
help you get your funds to you any orther fee is false ok i repeat any
orther fee apart from the $440 is
false. and please make sure you don't waste time in contactin him ok.

Best Regards
MR.JAMES WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam