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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- +22999328384 (Benin, probably a 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.
- apexcouriercompany@superposta.com (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- benson united nation dispatching officer e-mail: (apexcouriercompany@superposta.com) e-mail:(apexcourier41@rocketmail.com) tel no: +229 (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?Q?=D0=9C=D0=B0=D1=80=D0=B8=D1=8F_=D0=92=2E_=D0=90=D0=BB=D0=B5?=
=?utf-8?Q?=D0=BA=D1=81=D0=B5=D0=B5=D0=B2=D0=B0?= <alisherrif@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: mdavid864@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:49:22 +0400
Subject: Contact Apex Express Courier Immediately For Your Fund

Contact Apex Express Courier Immediately For Your Fund

United Nations Assisted Program
Directorate of International Payment
United Nations Liaison Office - Africa

Attention Beneficiary,

This email is to notify you about the release of your outstanding payment
which is truly $2.500,000.00 Million Dollars The Federal Government
scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes
Contract/Inheritance/Lottery (Sponsored by Microsoft and Shell Petrolum
Lottery) and other international loans. News had it that over the
past,numerous individual(s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to be
individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to release numerous sums
of fund via numerous ways.

You have two options to receive your payment which is either a Pin Based
ATM card or Certified Cashier s Check. You are advised to select one out of
the two options on how you wish to receive your $2.500, 000.00 Million
Dollars through ATM card or Check which will be shipped via Apex Express
Shipping Courier Company and would get to you within 2 to 3 working days at
most.

DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS MASSAGE:

The actual fees for shipping your ATM Card/ Check is $125.99 Dollars but
because Apex Express Shipping Courier have temporarily discontinued the
C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for
international shipping as stated on their We had to sign a contract with
them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual $125.99
Dollars to $98.99 Dollars nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort! You
are advised to contact the disparch officer responsible for the shipping
of your Check or ATM Card with the following information for shipping of your
payment through Check or ATM Card.

Contact: Mathew Benson

United Nation Dispatching Officer
E-Mail: (apexcouriercompany@superposta.com)
E-Mail:(apexcourier41@rocketmail.com)
Tel No: +229 99 32 83 84

Make Sure you provide him with the following information:

1,Your full Name.
2,Your Address where your payment will be dispatch to you:.
3,Home/Cell Phone:.
4,Preferred Payment Method (Check or ATM):
5,Passport ID

The dispatching officer will provide you with instructions on how you are
to make the payment of $98.99 Dollars only for the shipping of your ATM
Card or Cashier s Check. Remember that you are not paying any fees extra
no matter what. Once again note that the actual Apex Express Shipping
Courier Retail Price is: $125.99 Dollars Your Price (Because of our contract
signed): $98.99 Dollars ($27.00 Dollars Savings!)

Respectfully,
Mr.David Mark
UN Envoy (African Region)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam