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:
- "demurrage fee" (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. )
- "demurrage " (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Kalstrom S. James" <kalstromjames@usa.gov>
Reply-To: kalstroms.james@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 18:31:02 +0700
Subject: FROM IMMIGRATION OFFICER AT LOS ANGELES
=?iso-8859-1?Q?INT=92L_AIRPORT_?=(LAX).

FROM IMMIGRATION OFFICER AT LOS ANGELES INT’L AIRPORT (LAX).
Dear Sir,

I wish to inform you once again that i received authorization letter from
Aviation Officer Mr Andrew J. Savage, III, and Senator Paul G. Campbell
Jr. Director Charleston International Airport SC ' to divert your
consignment box valued $10.5m usd to the United States Treasury Account as
an unclaimed fund due to your delay in sending the remaining demurrage
charge to complete your consignment box delivery.

So if you are still interested to claim your fund then kindly get back to
me with the remaining demurrage fee immediately.

Thanks as am looking forward to read your email.

Regards,

Mr. Kalstrom S. James,
Chief Immigration officer.
Los Angeles International Airport.
3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1025
Los Angeles, CA 90010.
Tel: (213) 355-6999
Tel: ((909)331-4756
Fax: 213-355-6999

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam