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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. AkU James" <dr001akujames@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: dr002jamesaku@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2012 18:28:35 +0500 (TJT)
Subject: Re: Payment instruction to credit your account with the sum of
US$10,000,000.00??

From The Desk Of:Dr AkU James,
Pay-Master General
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
International Operations/Foreign funds
Debt Reconciliation/Payment,

Your Attention:Beneficiary,

Re: Payment instruction to credit your account with the sum of
US$10,000,000.00??

This is to notify you that your over due contract funds has been gazetted
to be Released,via key telex transfer (KTT) direct wire transfer to you by
the Senate house committee for foreign over due fund transfer.

Meanwhile, a woman wrote to my office few days ago with a letter,claiming
to be your True representative.All Over Due Inheritance/contract Funds
winner prize have been recalled to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Both
Africa and Asia and USA, Europe.

Here are her information's

BANK: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. - LA1-1908
ADDRESS: 2911 W. 70TH STREET, SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, U.S.A., 71108
Account Name:Elizabeth Rose Tolson
ROUTING NO: 065400137
ACCOUNT NO: 752649939
SWIFT CODE: CHASUS33
PERSONAL BANKER: MICHAEL COOPER

Please, do reconfirm to this office, as a matter of urgency if this woman
is from you So that the Bank will not be held responsible for paying into
the wrong account Name. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been approved
and accredited by the Federal Ministry Of Finance and the Senate House
committee for foreign over due fund,to pay all foreign Over due
inheritance funds and contract to respective original beneficiaries this
last quarter Payment of the year 2012.Base the meeting held with the new
Governor and board of directors of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on
05/01/2012.

Meanwhile, you are advice to get back to my office immediately with the
requested details to enable us have your correct details to wire your
fund:

1.Your First/Middle & Last Name:
2.Your Full Office or Residential Address:
3.Your Original Country of Origin:
4.Age/Sex/Marital Status:
5.Position Held in Office:
6.Present Occupation:
7.Office Telephone/Fax:
8.Residential Tel/Fax & Mobile Line:
9.Banking Details:
10. The Official Amount Owed To You:
11. The Country Where you are expecting your claim from:
12.A certified Copy of your international passport or any scanned

However, we shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said
Elizabeth Rose Tolson, if we do not hear from you within the next seven
working days from today.

Your Sincerely,

Dr.AkU James
Pay-Master General
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
International Operations
Debt Reconciliations/Payment

Anti-fraud resources:

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