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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +27739369807 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- castel.finance@execs.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Castel Finance Credit Loan Provider
<infocastel.finance@fastservice.com>
Reply-To: <infocastelfinance@execs.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:08:24 -0400
Subject: Castel Loan Offer At 3%

--
Welcome to Castel Financial Services Pty Ltd.
(A Personalised Service For All Your Borrowing Needs)

Do you need a loan to clear your debts/bills, or start up a
business? Then consider your financial problems over. In today's
economic climate, finding reliable funding sources can be frustrating
and full of disappointments, but with our sophisticated loan repayment
plan, everyone smiles home.

We Offer guaranteed loan services of any amount and to any part
of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique and Namibia
to individuals, companies, real tors and corporate bodies at our superb
interest rate of 3% APR Typical variable.
Get a Personal Loan now for house improvements, commercial/business
loan, car loan, leasing/equipment finance, debt consolidation,
investment property/Finance
For Loan Applications, do complete the information below and return
by Email:castel.finance@execs.com

1.Full Names:
2.Contact Address:
3.Contact Tel No:
4.Occupations:
5.Monthly Income:
6.Marital Status:
7.Email:

Yours In Service,
Juliette Brown(Mrs),
Loan Applications Controller.
Direct Tel No: +27739369807
Email:castel.finance@execs.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam