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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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. )
- "million united states 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)
- ",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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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.
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.
- +2348034826233 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- terence_p_mcculley@safe-mail.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- drive u. central district area, abuja email---{ terence_p_mcculley@safe-mail.net } phone: +234-803-482-6233. dear sir/madam. how are (Safe-mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- fedexnewyork_brian_phillips111@safe-mail.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

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=?utf-8?Q?=D1=8F=D1=89=D0=B8=D0=BA_=D0=B4=D0=BB=D1=8F_=D0=BF=D0=B5?=
=?utf-8?Q?=D1=80=D0=B5=D1=81=D1=8B=D0=BB=D0=BA=D0=B8_=D1=81=D0=BF?=
=?utf-8?Q?=D0=B0=D0=BC=D0=B0?= <terence_p_mcc
Reply-To: america_ambassador@Safe-mail.net
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 04:06:44 +0800
Subject: US, AMBASSADOR ON THE HELP OF YOUR ATM CARD

U.S AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
PLOT 1075 DIPLOMATIC DRIVE
u. CENTRAL DISTRICT AREA, ABUJA
EMAIL---{ terence_p_mcculley@Safe-mail.net }
PHONE: +234-803-482-6233.

Dear Sir/Madam.

How are you today?

Please go through this message carefully about your atm card I am American ambassador to Nigeria Mr Terence P Mcculley.

You need to understand that the INTERPOL, and FBI, plus NIGERIA EFCC are aware of the internet scam that has been going on over some years now, although many has been defrauded with difference organizations but believe me, those people are not real, neither from the right office, meanwhile in order to receive your atm card proper the NIGERIA EFCC, FBI, INTERPOL has decided to go into a meeting and provide a reliable solution for the recovery of your atm card for real.

It is over (2) weeks now that the NIGERIA EFCC, FBI, INTERPOL, has been holding a meeting in order to stop the ongoing internet scam and also provide a relevant solution to the restoration of all lost fund, finally a solution was found, as My self been the AMERICA AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, i was sent to investigate why your funds has been delayed and those who are behind the delay.

Surprisingly, i discovered 2 unattended files in the office of the FedEx new york ,OK in order to continue with my investigation, i quickly go through the files and i found your name and the amount you have been approved and authorized to receive from the Zenith Bank London, the amount you are approved and authorized to receive from the paying bank is $15,000,000.00-( Fifteen Million United States Dollars) Only. The amount was written in your payment files and converted with your Atm Card.

This Contract/Compensation funds is real, but many people got scammed because they didn't follow the right process and the right office.

Immediately that FedEx recovered all the 2 unattended Documents, They shall quickly forward it to the FedEx New york for urgent delivery of your atm card the following day.

You are entitled to receive the $15,000,000.00-( Fifteen Million United States Dollars) because your payment file is among the 10 unattended files.

Your $15,000,000.00-( Fifteen Million United States Dollars) has been approved from the presidency office and you can now claim your fund without going through anymore stress or unfinished payment, and i also want to advise you to stop any transaction that you are doing with anybody or office, because i am here to direct you and educate you on how to claim your funds without going through anymore difficulties and paying of unnecessary money.

ALSO YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THE FEDEX OFFICE NEW YORK MR BRIAN D, PHILLIPS IMMEDIATELY.
CONTACT PERSON: BRIAN D, PHILLIPS.
EMAIL: fedexnewyork_brian_phillips111@Safe-mail.net
fedexofficeamerica11@Safe-mail.net
PHONE:_1-917-503.1832.

please PAY YOUR LAST DUE FEE AND CONTACT ME. SEE THE NAME ACCORDING TO FEDEX NEW YORK OFFICE TO SEND THE MONEY WITH MONEY GRAM ONLY.

NAME : NNAKEE JOSEPH NWABUEZE.
COUNTRY. : NIGERIA.
AMOUNT: $100 DOLLARS.
CITY: LAGOS.
TEXT QUESTION: DELIVER.
TEXT ANSWER: CARD.
THEN YOU SEND THE REFRENCE NUMBER OF MONEY GRAM.

Once i receive the details above, i will quickly proceed and treat your Document file, and order the FedEx new york to proceed with the delivery of your Atm card But make sure you don't deal with any other person or office again, because this is your real funds, and those people that you have been dealing with in the past are just taking advantage of you.

I will be waiting for your immediate response with the information required above.

Forward your REPLY to me on this email: terence_p_mcculley@Safe-mail.net
Yours Faithfully,

Sign For: US AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
AMBASSADOR TERRENCE MCCULLEY
PHONE: +234-803-482-6233.
EMAIL: terence_p_mcculley@Safe-mail.net

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam