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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "vat (5%)" (VAT rate in the UK is 17.5%, check the math)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (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.
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.
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.
- +22967901883 (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.
- diamondbank99@yahoo.com.ph (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: <officefilebenin745@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: <fileoffice31@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 17 May 2015 17:48:16 -0400
Subject: APPROVAL OF YOUR ATM VISA CARD VALUED USD$2.900.000.00( TWO MILLION
NINE HUNDRED STATES DOLLARS) ONLY

Attention Dear Customer

APPROVAL OF YOUR ATM VISA CARD VALUED USD$2.900.000.00( TWO
MILLION NINE HUNDRED STATES DOLLARS) ONLY

Actually we are instructed by World Bank Group to facilitate the
payment
of your outstanding fund ( $2.9Million USD ).

The payment has been approved through ATM VISA CARD this is to avoid
any trouble and fee bank to bank transfer will generate on the course
of trying to remit your fund to any designate bank account of your
choice.

With ATM VISA CARD, you can make a purchase, the transaction is
processed on-line and the amount is immediately deducted from your
account. No need for cash or checks. You can use your ATM VISA Card in
all establishments worldwide that have the Maestro or Cirrus logo, or
where Visa cards are accepted. It can also be used locally in many
supermarkets,
pharmacies, gas stations, and restaurants.

With ATM Visa Card You can request a checkbook, transfer money from
one account to another, make deposits, pay utility bills, or simply
make a balance inquiry. You can withdraw cash in USD/British Pound
sterling and Euro; you may also request a mini-statement of the last
ten
transactions on your account. ATM Visa card is a 24-hour banking card
for use at ATM machines and anywhere 'Plus' and 'Honor' cards are
accepted.

However, the ATM Visa CARD will be ready for delivery by tomorrow as
we have instructed to set up a non residential account with your name
and to issue an ATM Visa CARD within 24 hours with your information in
our possession.

We shall also provide you with a personal identification number (PIN)
to use with your card, which is essentially a password for electronic
access to your account. With your ATM Visa card and PIN, you can
withdraw cash, make deposits, or transfer funds between bank accounts,
and as well pay for retail purchases on any ATM Machine around the
globe.

You are requiring sending us your complete mailing address and contact
information where the ATM Visa card will be delivered to you smoothly.
I have verified with the courier company here on how to deliver your
ATM Visa CARD to you and below is the information I gathered from DHL
courier Delivery Company:

DHL Courier

Mailing;...................... .......5.00$
Insurance..................... ........127$
Vat (5%).......................... .....96$
TOTAL......................... .........228$

The above is my findings therefore, you are to send the 228$ which is
the delivery fee of your ATM Visa CARD. Is rest assured that your ATM
Visa CARD will be delivered safely? The DHL is a well known and
efficient courier company here in Benin.

You will have to send the 228$ via Western Union to enable us pay the
delivery fee to mail your ATM Visa CARD to you by tomorrow without any
delay. The above is only what you will require to pay for speed
express delivery and your ATM Visa CARD will be delivered to you in
less than 48hours.

On your readiness to send the DHL courier charges, you are to do so
with undersigned name by Western Union. I guarantee smooth and speed
delivery of the ATM Visa CARD payment to you without delay.

Here is the information where to send the delivery fee

Receiver Name/ Alias Igbanugo Nnaluo
Country / Benin Republic
Test Question/ Urgent
Answer / Urgent
Amount To Be Send /$228
Sender Nameâ€¦â€¦â€¦
MTCN#..............

EMAIL;diamondbank99@yahoo.com.ph

I look forward to receive your urgent reply. Yours sincerely,

THANKS FOR BANKING US
DIAMOND BANK PLC
RUE BPH141 KINGSTON
AVENUECOTONOU.
WEST AFRICA BENIN REPUBLIC.
Tel: +229 67901883
Executive Director:Dr.Ego
Dinka

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam