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:
- "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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +229973541871 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- udoronald@financier.com (Financier; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Ronald Udo <udoronald@financier.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 21:30:13 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: =?utf-8?B?QVRUTiBZT1VSIFBBWU1FTlQgT0YgJDM1MDAgVVNEIEhBUyBCRUVOIFNFTlQg?=
=?utf-8?B?TVRDTiA6MzM1LTkwMi00NjQ54oCP?=

Office Address: 1704 New Market Road Cotonou Benin Republic
E-mail: transfedeparttment@w.cn

Urgent Attention:Beneficiary,
I want to inform you that we have already sent you $3500.00 US Dollars through Western union DepartmentÂ as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full over due payment total sum of $750.000 USD, via western union by the Ministry of Finance. I tried reaching you on phone to give you all the information on phone but I couldn't get your number through our fileÂ yesterday,

So I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you can pick up the $3500.00 to enable us send another $3500.00 today as you know we will be sending you $3500.00 only per day. And it was agreed that you will pay the transfer charge sum of $61 before the release of the payment to you. By once you send the transfer charges of $61 Please pickup this information and locate any western union around to pick up the $3500.00and call the Operation Manager Mr.Robert Mark. because he is the person in charge of your payment, and he can send you another payment today once you contact him, phone line +229-97 354 1871 ,E-mail: (transfedeparttment@w.cn)contact him once you picked up the $3500.00 today.

Below is the western union information to pick up the $3500.00, which you will be receiving daily after you sent them their transfer charge of $61.00 USDÂ and it will serve as re-confirmation of your payment file alsoÂ in their office.

Here is the Western Union information to pick up theÂ $3500.00. United State Dollars.
MTCN :___________# 3359024649
Sender's Name:______ Peter Brown
Text Question:________Who is the sender?
Answer:______________Peter Brown
Amount:_____________$3500.00. United State Dollars
Website:www.westernunion.com
Â
Beneficiary name----------------------------
Address-------------------------------------
Tel phone-----------------------------------
Contact Mr Robert Mark with this information's below:
DIRECT TEL: +229-97 354 1871
CONTACT PERSON: Mr.RobertÂ Mark.
CONTACT: EMAIL: transfedeparttment@w.cn

They will be waiting to hear from you with the transfer charge payment of $61.00USD as soon as you wake up today.
use this payment information in sending them the fee and urge them for immediate release of your first installment of $3500 which was sent by us today.
Receiver-name....Mr.Onye Agbudu
Country------Benin Republic
Your. City-----Cotonou
Your.Question----A
Your.Answer-----B
Amount_______$61 USD only
Sender's Name............
MTCNNo#....................

Be advice that $61.00 USDÂ transfer charge is compulsory as they told me that is the only money you will pay until you receive your payment completely. Endeavor to E-mail your direct telephone number because you will call once the payment another information is sent to you.

Regards
Mr Ronald Udo E-mail meÂ here ( udoronald@financier.com ) by once you have contact the Transfer Department Mr Robert
Minister Of Finance Head Office Benin Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam