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:
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- rrev.james@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Hon.Mr.Jeff Robert Carlwintersbrett@hotmail.com wintersp@harborside.com wipp@nts-online.net wire_man@bellsouth.net wireart@earthlink.net wired@performancesnowboards.com wirko@wfaa.com wirthlin@mtranch.com wischlegel@hotmail.com wiseacre@wiseacre-gardens.c
Reply-To: rrev.james@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 03:24:14 -0500 (EST)
Subject: HELLO DEAR YOUR URGENT REPLY NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!!!

Hello My Dear,

How are you today over there in your country.
I am Hon.Mr.Jeff Robert Carl, the Chairman of Interpol
Investigation Office Benin Republic.

This email is to notify you about the release of your
outstanding payment which is truly $4.5million. The Federal Government scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes Contract/Inheritance /Gambling/Lottery and other internal 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.

With the help of our office INTERPOL, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission And the Federal Bureau Of Investigation we have noticed that you have being asked to pay outrageous amount of money by these impostors for the transfer of your funds in an ATM CARD to you . We want you to stop all communication that has to do with these fraudsters who have been requesting unreasonable sums of money from you to release your funds which they do not have access to.

We have received a mandate and instructions from the
President, Federal Republic of Benin: DR YAYI BONI together with the INTERPOL COTONOU, Benin Republic, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to commence the immediate release of your funds through ATM Card.

Payment via Automatic Teller Machine (ATM card): This is where you will be sent an Automatic Teller Machine card also known as ATM card (Debit Card issued by MasterCard). Upon receipt of your ATM card you will be allowed to withdraw $10,000.00 per day by default and you are given the option to increase the withdrawal limit of your card to a range of $20,000.00 if you want. You are advised to communicate with us immediately you read these email regarding your $4.5 million. Your ATM card will be shipped via FedEx Shipping Company and would get to you within 48 hours at most.

DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $135.99 but because FedEx 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 website:
http://fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_bj_profile.html?gtmcc=us#C10

We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual $135.99 to $100 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort! You are advised to contact the dispatch officer responsible for the shipping of your ATM card and also reconfirm the following information for shipping of your payment ATM card to your doorstep.

Dispatch Officer:Rev James Rock,
Email: rrev.james@yahoo.fr

And provide him with the following information,

1. Your Full Names...........
2. Postal Address............
3. Phone Numbers.............
4. Cell Numbers..............
5. Emails Address............
6. Sex.............
7. Age.............
8. Occupation................
9. Nationality...............
10 Your Attached Photo........

The dispatch officer will provide you with instructions on how you are to make payment of the $100 only for the shipping of your ATM card. This measure is intended to stop the impostors you have erroneously been dealing with. You are to adhere strictly to the instructions above for more information contact the dispatch officer.

Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what. Once again note that the actual FedEx Retail Price is: $135.99, and Price was reduced (Because of our contract signed) to: $100 ($35.99 Savings!).

Yours sincerely,

Hon.Mr.Jeff Robert Carl
Chairman Interpol Investigation
Office Benin Republic.

Cc: Senate President
Cc: All Foreign Payment Offices
Cc: Board of Directors [Fpd]

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam