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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: olivier lvini <olivierlvini06@gmail.com>
Reply-To: olivier lvini <ubaworld.bank2014@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 14:52:15 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I HAVE ARRIVED IN diplomat Garry Phillip AIR-PORT YOUR URGENT
ATTENTION NEEDED!!

Â Hello good morning
Â
Itâ€™s me diplomat Garry Phillip , the new appointed diplomat to escort the delivery of your consignment from the Security Company. I hope all is well with you and your family today? I have finally arrived Cargo Center this morning with your consignment box valued $5 Million USD and now undergoing inspection at immigration outfit Newark Liberty International Airport here in New Jersey for final exit to your door step.
Â
I have just renewed and stamped my diplomatic license and ready to accompany your consignment box to your address, but the immigration officers said that your consignment box cannot pass through if the entry tag is not place on it to permit free and legitimate movement to your address.

This has been a delay to my smooth trip to your blessed city because the tag on your consignment box only covered the shipment to this point and has no immunity to deliver at your scheduled address.

Having presented the necessary papers and clarified legitimacy of your consignment box and they are very much satisfied with the papers and need to place the entry permit on your consignment box which I don't have on the delivery file here, this is the only issue that am experiencing here.
Â
So please see if you can meet me here at the Newark Liberty International Airport,New Jersey, USA. And ask for Custom outfit to clear your consignment for me to complete the delivery to your address, or hurry up and send entrance clearance charge of $275 immediately as am struggling to safeguard and make sure that they waive every further inspection that might lead to physical screening.

Once I hear from you I will give to you name of an Officer here which you will use to send the money through Western Union Transfer so he can help me to pickup the payment and submit to the Cargo Warehouse for immediate release of your consignment box today.

Please hurry up and get back to meÂ to enable us get this done and get back to you with my arrival time to your place today.
Â
I am waiting for your urgent response with a solution to this present delay.

You can call me 773 796 8522 or send text (SMS) message to make it fast for us.

Thanks for your kind understanding as I can't wait to meet you.
Â
Yours in service,
Â
Dip. Garry Phillip
E-mail:(dip.garryphillip@yandex.com)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam