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:
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "cotonou" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Foreign Remittance (Bank Of America)" <info.atmremittancedepartm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info.remittancedepatm@yandex.com
Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 13:22:30 +0200
Subject: Pickup your fund within 10mins with your Id card /Payment Aproval/
/10mins time/// Fee $45///

Attention Please.
With all due respect, we receive the email that you sent, we are very
sorry for the email for the late reply, Please note that you only have
today to make the requested payment of $45 for your quick pickup this
morning, so that we can get your payment aproval documents without any
further delay again. Please forward us your home address/ direct telephone
number so that we can call you as soon as we process every things by today
without any further delay again. I want you to understand that the fee for
this is $45, to provide you a normal payment aproval slip , and please note
that as soo as you can send this $45 this morning, you will receive your
fund in any nearest bank of your choice within the next 10mins. Please send
us the bank of your choice address as soon as you are sending us the
payment information and i have been with the office of the director where
they can get the document. Please you have to send it today so that we can
get things done without any further delay again. Below is the details to
send the money by Western Union or money gram Only.

Receives Name:--------Ifeanyi Chukwu John
Country:--------- Benin Republic
City/state:--------- Cotonou.
Question:--------- How many Mins?
Answer:-------- -10mins
Amount:--------- $45
MTCN:---------

As soon as you send the fee, try to forward us the payment details today so
that we can proceed without any delay again. Waiting for the mtcn.Please
note that as soon as you can send this fee today, you can go to any of your
nearest bank for withdrawing within the next 10mins we receive the payment
details. again today is the last day, so you have to hurryup to make sure
that you send this fee today without any further delay again.

Waiting to hear from you soon.
All the best
Eric Lee
Bank of America.
Management

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam