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:
- "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)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +447045771458 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- barclaysbank_remitdept@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barclays Bank Plc UK <gilbertheys65@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: <barclaysbank_remitdept@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2013 01:43:05 +0100
Subject: INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF
$5,800,000.00

Barclay's Bank Plc
1 Churchill Place
London, E14 5HP , United Kingdom
Tel:+44 704 577 1458
http://www.barclays.co.uk

Dear Esteemed Customer,

INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF $5,800,000.00

We at this bank wish to congratulate and inform you that after through
review of your Inheritance/Contract funds transfer release documents in
conjunction with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
assessment, report your payment file was forwarded to us for immediate
transfer of a part-payment US $5,800,000.00 to your designated bank
account from their offshore account with us.

The audit reports given to us, shows that you have been going through
hard times by paying a lot of money to see to the release of your funds,
which has been delayed by some dubious officials.

We therefore advice that you stop further communication with any
correspondence outside this office since you do not have to pay any
money or fee to receive your funds as you have met up with the whole
funds transfer requirements.

The only thing required from you is to obtain the Non-Residential
Clearance Form to enable us credit your account directly by telegraphic
transfer or through any of our corresponding banks and send copies of
the funds transfer release documents to you, and your bankers for
confirmation.

If You Should follow our directives, your Account will be credited and
reflect in your bank account within five (5) bank working days from the
day you obtain this Non-Residential Clearance Form.

For further details and assistance on this Remittance Notification,
kindly forward your:

FULL NAME:

FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE :

Directly to my private E-mail:barclaysbank_remitdept@yahoo.co.uk

Yours sincerely,

Dr.Gilbert Heys
Head Of International Banking Division
Barclay's Bank Plc, UK .

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam