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:
- "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. )
- "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)
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.
- +22997740933 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Diplomatic Silver G <00000smithdaye7878@att.net>
Reply-To: diplomatica.gent@w.cn
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:30:05 -0800 (PST)
Subject: =?utf-8?B?SeKAmW0gU2lsdmVyIEcuR29yZG9uIERpcGxvbWF0aWMgQXNzaWduZWQgQWdl?=
=?utf-8?B?bnTigI8=?=

Attention:

Iâ€™m Silver G.Gordon Diplomatic Assigned Agent,I have been trying to reach you on your telephone about an hour now just to inform you about my successful arrival in McCarran International Airport United States of America with your consignment box containing $1.2 Million which I have been instructed by FEDEX DELIVERY COMPANY to convey to your doorstep.
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The Airport authority demanded for all the legal back up papers to prove to them that the fund is no way related with drug nor fraud money, I have presented the papers,I handed to them and they are very much pleased with the paperâ€™s I presented but the only thing that is still keeping me here is the airport delivery Tag which is not placed on your consignment box, one of the Airport Authority has advise that we get the delivery tag so that I can exit the airport immediately and make my delivery successful.
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I try to reason with them and they stated the delivery tag will cost us just $95.00 Dollars only to get the tag placed on the consignment box from Benin republic, while it will cost us $800 here in United States of America as that tag will enable me get to your house successfully without any interference, so i can advice you to send only $95.00 as it is very cheap in BENIN.

Meanwhile they scanned the box and found out that the fund is 100 % spend able and accepted by any bank all over the world.
Â
Please try and reach me with my international roaming number +229-97740933 as I can not afford to spend more time here due to other delivery I have to take care of in Bangkok.
Â
I can accompany you to your bank were you will deposit the fund successfully with some papers i have here with me.
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I have more vital paper with me but I can only present you the hard copy when I reach your house as that itâ€™s the diplomatic rules, such as authorization to deliver.

You can direct the tag fee to our Head Office as they will get it there for you and they are entitled to receive and make any payment to foreign countries authority.
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Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:
Â
Receiver... OKONKWO EZENNIA
Country ....Benin Republic
Zip code .... 00229
Text Question. GOD IS
Answer â€¦.GOOD
Amount $95.00 US Dollars
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I will be waiting to receive the payment information from you today so as to enable me deleiver your consignment to your door step.
Â
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Congratulation
Â
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Best Regard
Â Â Â Â Â Silver G.Gordon
Diplomatic Assigned Agent

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam