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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- officeservice980@yahoo.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Richard Bruno <villainfissi@alice.it>
Reply-To: officeservice980@yahoo.pl
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 15:17:00 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Regarding your package {ATM CARD}, EMAIL AND CALL YOUR DELIVERING
AGENT NOW{862-234-6787}

NOTIFICATION FROM DHL DELIVERING COMPANY

Am happy to inform you that we have finally succeeded in sending your
delivering agent again, regarding the delivering of your own compensation, he
will need your information to complete the delivery of your package {ATM CARD}
with
him,it contains $3.5 million dollars being your own compensation, Youâ€™ re to
provide to the agent, your full Name,Address, Nearest Airport and Telephone No:,
is due to our
agreement with the DHL Delivering Company and Noted That you have to provide
the information correctly for the smooth delivery of your package to you ,
he is in Calgary International Airport United state of America, please make
sure you take care of him and know is not American Citizen thanks.

INFORMATION NEEDED FROM YOU

(1)Your Full Name=============
(2)Mobile Phone Number======
(3)Current Home Address==== ====
(5)Country====================
(6)City======================
(7)Airport ==============

AGENT NAME: Richard Petterson
EMAIL: officeservice980@yahoo.pl
MOBILE: 862-234-6787

Email or call him now, ask him what is going on now,he has arrived in U.S.A
about two days ago, he called me and said he lost your information, so provide
him your detail to him ok

Regard
Mr.Richard Bruno
DHL COURIER SERVICE DIRECTOR
NUMBER:+22968863142

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam