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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: The Financial Crimes Enforcement.
<FinancialCrimesEnforcement@FinancialCrimesEnforcement.net>
Reply-To: <feedbacktreasury@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2015 04:11:58 -0700
Subject: Kindly Reply Immediately.

Date: Monday, May 11th, 2015
Time: 2:15pm (Washington, DC (EDT).
Department: The Financial Crimes Enforcement.
Office of The US Treasury Department - Mr. William Fox.

Dear Sir/Madam.
With all due respect,

This particular letter is strictly confidential and only for your perusal.

Based on your inability to complete your claim from your previous transactions, we have been officially appointed by World Bank - Switzerland to release the already ear-marked (assigned) sum of (US$10,500,000.00) to you as a form of settlement of debt. Officially, you are the true beneficiary to the stated sum. The US Treasury Department and the Securities/Exchange Commission are collectively ready to APPROVE and ORDER for the immediate swift wire transfer of your due funds via Telegraphic Transfer/Telex Transfer (Swift).

As a matter of fact we are ready to effect the onward remittance of your due fund but your partner/representative (Mr. Donald Parker) from Canada has advised us to transfer your fund into his own personal account. The mentioned person (Mr. Donald Parker) said that you authorized him to help you collect your due fund from this treasury.

Please confirm to us if we should release your due fund to your partner/representative (Mr. Donald Parker). We hereby anticipate your swift response because this is urgent.

Yours in service,

Mr. William Fox.
Director of The Financial Crimes Enforcement.
Department of the Treasury.
Under The President Office White House.

*******US Treasury Department US Treasury Department US Treasury Department US Treasury Department *******

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam