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. )
- "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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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.
- +2348034150409 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC <unionbankplc0042@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:01:12 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND TRANSFER IS READY ..... GODWIN OBOH (CEO UNION BANK OF
NIGERIA PLC)

Union Bank Nigeria Plc
Stallion Plaza,
36, Marina, Lagos,
Nigeria.

Attention Sir,

I belive you received my previous mail to you.

This fee is actually for the processing of the application of your fund
through the Federal High Court becuase initially the impostors has already
acknowledge his bank account to your fund stating that you are dead and he
is the beneficiary of the fund. Now that you have presented yourself alive
then the Federal High Court needs to confirm this before their final
approval and endorsement.

After your application has been successfully processed, endorsed and
approved by the Federal High Court, then shall we be able to acknowledge
your bank account details to the fund for immediate transfer via Key Telex
wire transfer directly into your provided bank account which should not
take more than 24hrs.

You are required to make payment of US$475 via Western Union Money Transfer
or Money Gram with the below information:

Name: AKEEM OWODE (Account Manager)
Address: 36, Marina, Lagos - Nigeria
Question: Purpose
Answer: Process

You can call me on my direct mobile anytime regarding any queries:
+234-8034150409

I await your positive response regarding the completed application form
along with the payment immediately as i am giving you 100% guarantee that
everything will be okay.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Godwin Oboh
Executive Chief Officer
UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam