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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "THE HONORABLE PAYMASTER GENERAL" <raymond.dauglas@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: raymonddauglas@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:43:14 +0100 (WAT)
Subject: Attention:...Release/Transfer Notice for your due Funds (US$10,500,
000:00).

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Tel: Highly Confidential.
16 Walter Carrington Str. Ikoyi Lagos-Nigeria.
ASO ROCK VILLA,ABUJA ANNEX OFFICE.
>From the Desk of Chief. Raymond P. Douglas., GCON.

Our Ref: FGN/OHG/OXD1/2011

TELEX: FEDGOVNIG.
PAYMENT FILE: FGN/BEN/2011
Date: 12th Of Feb/2011

*****24 HOURS SERVICE*****

ATTENTION:

Release/Transfer Notice for your due Funds (US$10,500,000:00).

This letter will definitely be amazing to you because of its realistic value.
Sorry for the inconveniences that was rendered to you in line with your
Payment transaction with some Nigerian Officials some while ago.

I know that this letter will hit you by surprise, my name is Chief
Raymond P Douglas , the Honorable Paymaster General of The Federal
Republic of Nigeria. My civic obligation is to detect fraud/fund
delays/interrupted funds and transfer Funds to UN-paid beneficiaries as
mandated by The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations
Organization (U.N.O). Over the years, we have paid the likes of (Mr.
Donald Keith, Mrs. Kami Turner, Mr. George Ewing etc).

Your Funds were returned to the Federal Government Treasury some while ago
because you did not finalize your claim for it, through the right
procedure. A week ago,the Presidency and The Federal Executive Council
collectively agreed to release the sum of US$10,500,000 to you but to our
surprise you sent down your representatives Mr. Tim Parker and Mr. Rowland
Gulf to collect this Funds on your behalf,
this morning. Since you sent your representatives to us, kindly give us
the authority to transfer your Funds into their secret Account in the
middle East

In receipt of this confidential Letter, you are required to respond
immediately.

Officially Sealed,
Chief Raymond P Douglas.
The Honorable Paymaster General
DISPATCHED ON THIS DAY Date: 12th Of Feb/2011

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam