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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (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.
- britishhighcommission118@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Robert Scott Dewar," <drferdmark17@gmail.com>
Reply-To: britishhighcommission119@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 06:05:45 -0600 (CST)
Subject: CONTACT BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR SCAM
COMPENSATION

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District,Lagos Branch Nigeria
Tel: +2349030587216

E-MAIL: britishhighcommission118@gmail.com

Attention

The BRITISH High Commission in Nigeria,Benin Republic,Ghana and Burkina
Faso received a
report of scam against you and other British/US citizens and Malaysia,Etc.
whom the
country of Nigeria/Benin,Burkina Faso And Ghana have recompensed you due
to meeting held
with Four countries Government and the world high commissions against
fraud activities
by the Four country Citizens.

Your name and the names of those victims whom emails address i have sent
along for your
perusal was listed by the Nigeria Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU). A
compensation has
been issued out in ATM CARD to all the affected victims and has been
already in
distribution to all the bearers. Your ATM CARD was among those that was
reported
undelivered as at on Friday and we wish to advise you to see to the
instructions of the
Committee to make sure you receives your ATM CARD immediately for your own
use.

NFIU further told us that the use of Nigeria Couriers and the Benin was
abolished due to
interception activities noticed in the above mentioned courier services in
Benin,Nigeria
and Ghana and thereby have made a concrete arrangement with the DHL
Courier Company and
EMS SPEED POST courier service for a safe delivery to your door-step once the
beneficiary meets up the demand of the conveyance.

We advise that you do the needful to make sure the NFIU dispatches your
recompense on or
after Monday. You are assured of the safety of your ATM CARD and
availability and be
advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers
and security
companies who in collaboration scammed you.
Get in touch with my secretary, NAME; Valentine Madubueze EMAIL: (
britishhighcommission118@gmail.com ) he will be taking care of your
responses, replies
and phone calls.
And make sure you Call me at: Tel: +2349030587216 immediately to check if
the delivery
date suits you.

NOTE THAT ALL REPLIES AND RESPONSES BE DIRECTED TO (
britishhighcommission118@gmail.com )

DO LET US KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE CHANGE TO A NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS.

Yours in Service,

Mr. Robert Scott Dewar,
Consular,
British High Commission.
FCO Logo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam