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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
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.
- ogechinkemm@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Charles Chuks <charleschuks151@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2014 13:32:33 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?CONTACT_MY?= =?windows-1256?Q?_SECRETARY?=
=?windows-1256?Q?=FE=FE?=

Hello my good friend.

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. You may not understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Paraguay who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to my new partner's account in Paraguay that was capable of assisting me in this great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you shown during the course of the transaction.

I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of US$900,000.00. I have left a certified international bank draft for you worth of US$900,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world. My dear friend I will like you to contact Ogechi Nkem, on his direct email address at [ogechinkemm@yahoo.co.uk] for collection of your bank draft. I authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you whenever you ask him for it.
At the moment, I'm very busy here in Paraguay because of the investment projects, which I and the new partner are having at hand. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart, also comply with Ogechi Nkem's directives so that he will release the bank draft to you without any delay.

CONTACT: Ogechi Nkem
Email address: ogechinkemm@yahoo.co.uk
Therefore, you should send him your full name, address and telephone number, for him to release the bank draft to you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Charles Chuks

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam