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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev. Dr Uyi Obed" <ecco2222@gmail.com>
Reply-To: uyiobed@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 10:13:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Payment of Accrued Interest via Certified ATM System (ATMs) Vide Circular No: EC/11/09/8537W




ECOWAS Sub-Headquarters
7 Rue Du La Rouge, Cotonou
Republic of Benin
 
Monday  03, October  2011
 
To the Beneficiary

Contract Ref: ECS/28H/1745/PED11-13.
 
Attn
 
Re: Payment of Accrued Interest via Certified ATM System (ATMs) Vide Circular No: EC/11/09/8537W

Your immediate attention is hereby drawn to the circular referenced above. Please be informed that following ECOWAS Council Resolution No. EC/10023/FM48/PED-7/11, the Debt Settlement and Finance Office has been directed to liquidate the accrued interest on payment due to the contract beneficiary here above referred. Following the mandate, the accumulated interest on payment has been calculated at prevailing exchange rate to date, and valued at, Three million, two hundred and eighty seven thousand, five hundred and sixty-nine point four cents (3,287,569.04) independent of withdrawal means postage.
 
As detailed in the prior contract agreement, the process for sequenced timely withdrawal of accrued interest via accredited ATM System have now been completed for your locality. Reconfirmation of beneficiary’s details and receipt of statutory postage and handling charge of $385.50 will be followed by postage of universal Switch ATM Card with activating serial number; 4-digit pin code, and limit instructions). Reconfirm your secure postage address including direct contact telephone, and beneficiaries name as you would want appear on the withdrawal card to the Manager Operations, Attn: Uyi Obed, email ( uyiobed@gmail.com  ).
 
For further information please contact the undersigned on Tel. +229 6694 5562 between 9.00am – 6.00pm (GMT).
 
Thank you for cooperation.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Uyi Obed
For Manager Operations
Telephone +229 6694 5562.

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