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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "johnsmith_loanhome@hotmail.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- johnsmith_loanhome@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=22=D6fverstr=F6m_Marika=22?=
<marika.ofverstrom@edu.hel.fi>
Reply-To: johnsmith_loanhome@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:37:30 +0100
Subject: Loans @ 3 % interest rate

Good Day,

I am Dr.John Smith, a Financial manager of a private loan firm,I grant
loans @ 3 % interest rate with loans ranging from $5000-$100,000,000.00
within 1-20 years. Are you in need of a loan for any purpose?are you in a
financial problem? Do you need financial solution? Our loan is the
solution to all your financial problems,Our loans are easy, cheap, and quick.
Contact us today for that loan that you desire, we can arrange any loan to
suit your budget at only 3% interest rate. If interested, contact us
immediately.

Dr.John Smith
johnsmith_loanhome@hotmail.com

LOAN APPLICATION FORM

FIRST NAME:
LAST NAME:
AMOUNT NEEDED:
DURATION:
PURPOSE OF LOAN:
SEX (MALE/FEMALE):
NEXT OF KIN:
ADDRESS:
COUNTRY:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
MOBILE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MONTHLY INCOME:

NOTE:
Remember there is only on thing to do away with and that is you debts

Best Regards,
Dr.JOHN SMITH

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam