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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "non-resident tax" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- info.michealdurufundtransferbj@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Micheal Duru" <info.michealdurufundtransferbj@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:05:00 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Entitlement valid 1.2 million which has not been affected due to
official negligence.

Â

Compliments and Greetings,
Â
This is an official notification of the availability of your full entitlement valid 1.2 million which has not been affected due to official negligence. This transfer has been held pending and its original account suspended pending when the benefactor provided the TAX clearance document .but the impostors who are operating in syndicates all over the world today are misled and misguided you about the position of your fund with the sole aim of exporting money from you that explain why you have not receive the payment up-to-date.
Â
However, you are advised to immediately reconfirm your telephone and currant contact/ payment receiving details to this e-mail address (info.michealdurufundtransferbj@gmail.com ) .You will receive your payment by: (1) By wire transfer direct to your nominated bank account. (2). Issuing you ATM CARD 3) or by drawing a cashiers cheque payable in your name, with strict procedures of the International funds transfer rules and regulations in avoidance of unhealthy intents and unnecessary delay.
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So, let us know which of option you like to receive your monies .But before we proceed, you are required to make a payment of the Non-resident tax of $45 only as the authorities demand which is described as selective payment to enable us effect maximum clearance on your file and automate your full information on the transfer script text to ensure that the payment reach your hand on time through a legal secure way from the exact time frame we initiate our service if you accurately furnished us with our requirement as instructed.
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You are reuested to send the fee via Money Gram only with the below details:
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Senders Name:----------------
Receivers Name: WILLIAM CHUKWUEMEKA ONWUKWE
Text Question: God.
Answer: Great
Country: Benin Republic.
CityCotonou.
Reference#:-----------
Amount:------$45
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Â Note that we have no legal right to deduct or add to the value of your funds because your payment has already been keyed into the system for final transfer, thus the compliance with this condition this payment will reach you within 48 banking hour or less.
Waiting to hear from you.
Â
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Micheal Duru
Email: info.michealdurufundtransferbj@gmail.com
International Clearing House West Africa- BENIN
Affiliate to the World Association of Debt Management.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam