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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT <josephrobinette@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:20:11 +0000
Subject: ATTN: Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah:::::::FROM UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT
UNITED STATES

WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20500
THE VICE PRESIDENT
OLD EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20501

ATTN: Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah

CC: U.S INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES (IRS)
CC: U.S FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION(FDIC)
CC: U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (USDHS)
CC: U.S FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF)
CC: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

THE CONTENTS OF YOUR MASSAGE ARE WELL UNDERSTOOD. I/WE WISH TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR FUND ONCE THE (FEE DEDUCTION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE) IS BEEN SECURED IMMEDIATELY FROM THE ORIGIN OF THE FUND BEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA.

YOU ARE ADVICE TO PROCEED TO WESTERN UNION RIGHT AWAY WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO SEND THE $385 FOR (FEE DEDUCTION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE) AND GET BACK TO US WITH THE WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION MTCN# SO THAT WE WILL FORWARD IT TO THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE NIGERIA OFFICE WHERE THE CERTIFICATE WILL BE ISSUE TO YOU TO ENABLE THE BANK WHERE YOUR FUND WAS DEPOSITED COMMENCE THE TRANSFER TO YOUR ACCOUNT WITHOUT DELAY.

RECEIVER'S AGENT NAME: AKU JOE
ADDRESS: NO 2 GOVERNMENT RD, VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS- NIGERIA
TEST QUESTION: IN GOD
ANSWER: WE TRUS
AMOUNT: $385
M.T.C.N...#

THE PRESIDENT OBAMA, UNITED NATION, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WORLD BANK GROUP, HOME LAND SECURITY SERVICE, CIA, FBI, ATTORNEY GENERAL IS AWAY OF THIS (FEE DEDUCTION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE) PAYMENT AND THAT IS THE ONLY THING HOLDING YOUR FUND NOW WHICH AS SOON AS YOU GET THE MONEY SEND, EVERY THING WILL BE COMPLETED AND END.

YOU ARE ADVICE TO GET BACK TO ME ASAP ONCE YOU SEND THE MONEY SO THAT WE WILL HAVE THIS MATTER FINISH ONCE AND FOR ALL.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU.

JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN
UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT
CALL ON ME 607 595 1725

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam