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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
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.
- +2348122792034
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.
- us.embasssy@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Mr. Williams Ofo" <roland.johnson29@ymail.com>
Reply-To: us.embasssy@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2011 15:01:12 +0400 (GST)
Subject: RE: GREETING FROM U.S EMBASSY NIGERIA ,
YOUR CONSIGMENT BOX IS HERE WITH US.

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 20520

Greeting from USA Embassy,

THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS

ATTENTION: BENEFICIAL

This is to notify you that your consignment has been in our custody
waiting for your comply before the delivery will be effected to
yourdelivery address. We have been waiting for you to contact us regarding
your consignment box which Courier Company suppose to deliver to you which
was on hold by US Department of State Bureau and requesting for clearance
certificate which will be obtain from the origination of the consignment
box before it will be released.

As a result of you not comply within duration given by Nigeria Government
that is the reason the consignment box was diverted to treasury.All the
walfare of United States Citizen and all part of europe including
asia,australia, south america, Antartica e.t.c is my consine. Am here to
take the protocol of all our citizens to not be cheated by Africans.

After the meeting held by our board of director which was concluded that
the delivery of your consignment to your address must be complete within
three working days upon your comply to our requirement which is by sending
the sum of $39.00 to enable us obtain the needed certificate and effect
with the delivery of your consignment immediately.

Note that your consignment box has been arrived in US embassy and waiting
to receive clearance certificate before the gate pass is given. Mean while
you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting us to
avoid delivery to wrong person.

1, Your full name:

2, Your home address:

3, Your occupation:

4, Direct Telephone Number:

Once you notify us with the above information we will release your
consignment to you,Contact the Embassy Office Direct with the following
information Below,

Contact person, Ms. Stella Bush
Tel:+2348122792034
Emai :us.embasssy@hotmail.com

Note that you are expected to pay only $39.00 for clearance certificate
and you are to pay it to Lagos Nigeria as the origination of the
consignment box in favour of Mr Chris Bala as our accountant officer in
Lagos Nigeria Send the $39.00 through western union or Money Gram once
you receive this mail with the information below for immediate release of
your consignment box,

Receiver; Ndive Samuel

Amount ; $39

Question; when

Answer; today

City; Lagos Nigeria

Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up
and for immediate action on the release of your
consignment.

Please treat this as matter of urgency .
Note that any uncliam consignment will be return to the Courier
Company after 3 days for final divertion.
So you are urgently advise to comply with our demand so that we will
release your consignment.
Regard,

Dr.Mr.Williams Ofo,
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
FROM UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam