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:

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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +2348085168142 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc <offcmail74@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc <zenith.ban2015@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 01:27:19 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED
NATION

Â ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION.
Plot 84 Ajose. Adeogun Street. Lagos, Nigeria.

Dear Customer

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you.
We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago with the former secretary to the UNITED NATIONS.
This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$5,500,000,00 This includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an
unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you,Â this have been agreed upon and have been signed.
Therefore, we are happy to inform you that an arrangement has perfectly been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible in
our bid to be transparent.

However, it is our pleasure to inform you that your ATM Card Number; 4744 7800 2812 5631 has been approved and upgraded in your favor.
Meanwhile, your Secret Pin Number will be available as soon as you confirm to us the receipt of your ATM CARD.
The ATM Card Value is $5,500,000 USD Only. You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of US$10,000.00 is permitted daily.
And we are duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM Center of your choice/nearest to you any where in
the world.
We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you
without any further delay.
So you are hereby advice to forward to this office Director ATM SWIFT CARD Department Therefore, you should send your full Name and
telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want your ATM be send to you..

Waiting to hear from you with the requested information for us to do
our best to conclude this transaction for you.

Yours faithfully

Joseph Mbachu
Zenith BankÂ Nigeria Plc
Phone: +2348085168142

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam