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:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
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.
- mrschristianaprisca@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: christiana douglas <christianadouglas52@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrschristianaprisca@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 01:31:24 +0100
Subject: I WANT TO WILL THE SUM OF $12,150,000.00USD TO YOU...USE IT AND
HELP THE POOR.

My
beloved in Christ,

I decided to come to this medium because i believe that there are people like
you who can help me to make a lot of differences in the life of the poor
masses. I think i will start with a proper introduction of myself.

I am Lady. Christiana P. Douglas, a widow to late Sir Christopher Douglas. I am
63 years old suffering from chronic urinary tract cancer. From all indications,
my condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that i may not live
more than two months after my next surgery in London.

My personal physician told me that I may not live for more than 2 months

and I am so scared about it. I have no child of mine, even though i

wish to have. It is late now you know, since i cannot get married

again, and age is no longer on my side.

Psalms 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live, and let me
not be ashamed of my hope.

Psalms 138: 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou will revive me......

psalms 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor, the Lord will deliver him
in time of trouble.

Two of my favorite verses: Philippians 2:27: For indeed he was sick

nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him & that on him only, but on

me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.( I always say this in my mind)

So, I now decide to donate all my life savings, combined with that of my Late
husband, which turns out to be at the sum of

$12,150,000.00USD
. (twelve million and one hundred and fifty thousand dollar) to you for
humanitarian purposes. by establishing a foundation in your country under our
name, so as to immortalize the DOUGLAS FAMILY. This money is deposited in a
reliable bank in West Africa.

Presently, I
have informed my Attorney, about my decision in WILLING this fund to you, you
are to get back to me immediately if you are interested in carrying out this
task, so that I will instruct you on how to get in contact with my attorney and
my account officer.

Lastly, I know I have never meet you,
but in other to fulfill this which borders me most, i prayed and fasted with my
spiritual adviser, Rev. Fr. Magnus A. Philips and choose your address and my
mind tells me to inform you about this, It is also good to let you know that I
shall bear the cost of transferring this fund to you, and I hope you act
sincerely, please get back to me immediately via my private email address(mrschristianaprisca@gmail.com)with the following information

YOUR NAME:………………?

YOUR COUNTRY:…………?

YOUR PHONE NO:………?

OCCUPATION:……………?

AGE:……………………………?

SEX:………………………

NOTE: I shall bear the cost
of transferring this money to you; all i need is your sincerity.

God bless you.

Sincerely,

Mrs.
Christiana P. Douglas.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam