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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "million british pounds" (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)
- ",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)
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.
- +27842307468 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr./Mrs. Adrian Bayford Charity Donation Fund"
<raymondmorgan01@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <raymondmorgan02@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 22:06:54 -0430
Subject: Dear Bloved

--
Good day!

Compliment of the season, Am Afraid many things are going on now the
internet, but this is the only way I can thank the Lord for what he has
done for me and my family, and also to help others. My wife and I won
One Hundred and Forty Eight Million British Pounds Only (Â£
148,000,000.00), and we have done lots of charity donation, so we decide
to give One Million Pounds (Â£ 1,000,000.00) each to 5 lucky unknown
individuals in any part of the world this year, luckily your email was
given to us by Google management as one of our lucky recipients after
the balloting.
Congratulations to you and your Family.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19254228 and
Reply with your

Full Name
Address and
Phone number to;

Raymond Morgan
EMAIL: raymondmorgan02@hotmail.com.com
Tel: +27842307468

Best Regards,
Mr./Mrs. Adrian Bayford.
God Bless You.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam