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)
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +22968520182 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- general_office1@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: The United Nations Headquarters <jterrsor@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: The United Nations Headquarters <mtcnunmbers777@qq.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 18:30:27 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: The United Nations Headquarters, New York United Nations
Compensation Unit, In Affiliation with World Bank.Ref: U.N/WBO/042UK/2015.

Â The United Nations Headquarters, New York United Nations Compensation Unit,In Affiliation with World Bank.Ref: U.N/WBO/042UK/2015.
Congratulations,
you may not understand why this mail came to you. We have been having a meeting for quit sometime now and we just came to a logical conclusion few days ago in affiliation with the World Bank president.
This email is to few well listed people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS in Affiliation with WORLD BANK have agreed to compensate them with the sum of USD $1,500,000.00 Dollars each.
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 email in the list of those who are to benefit from these compensation exercise and that is why we are contacting you this have been agreed upon and have been signed.
You are advised to contact Mr,Howard Oliver of our paying center in Africa, as he is our representative in Africa. Contact him immediately for your ATM Card of USD$1,500,000.00 Dollars. This fund is in form of ATM Card for security purpose OK? So he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice. Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number your correct mailing address where you want him to send your Card to you. Contact Mr,Howard Oliver of ATM PAYMENT CENTER with your payment code: Q0097-T immediately for your ATM Card at the given address below:
Person to Contact: Mr,Howard OliverE-MAIL: (general_office1@aol.com)Tel: +229-6852-0182
I apologize on behalf of the United Nation organization for any delay you might have encountered in receiving your fund in the past.
Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your ATM CARD. Make the world a better place. You are required to contact the above person and furnish him with the following of your information that will be required to avoid any mistakes:
1. Your Full name___________________2. Your Country_________________3. Contact Address__________4. Telephone Number______5. Marital Status______6. Occupation_______7. Sex_________8. Age______
And be official informed that you are advice to present this code Q0097-T to Mr. George Ben for security purpose and do not share it with anyone else.
Congratulations, and I look forward to hear from you as soon as you confirm your payment make the world a better place.
Regards,Secretary-General Ban Ki-MoonUnited NationsÂ®http://www.un.org/sg/

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam