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:
- "money-gram" (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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- +22967377888 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.George Wilson <office7@basedomainoff.cn.tn>
Reply-To: <mrrichardgarry199@yahoo.com.sg>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2016 21:17:09 +0100
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary Contact Person: Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi,
Re: Approval Slip Confirmation / Payment Information

Attention: Beneficiary

Re: Approval Slip Confirmation / Payment Information

With due respect to the foregoing transaction matter regarding the final release and subsequent transfer of your approved payment valued at the sum of $ 3,700,000.00 USD via ATM Card, I write to officially inform you that your payment order by Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card System has been successfully processed today and the US $ 3,700,000.00 has been loaded into an ATM Card. Hence, in compliance with the Payment Procedure of the FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, you are expected to settle in full a "Processing / Shipping Fee" estimated to the value of US $ 198 USD before final delivery of funds can be effected to your designated address.

You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $ 20,000.00 USD is permitted on withdrawal per day with a minimum of $ 1000 per withdrawal and we are duly inter switched, meaning you can make withdrawal in any location and ATM Center of your choice. We have concluded delivery arrangement with DHL COURIER SERVICE, to be fully insured by Nice Insurance Corporation. In view of this development, you are requested to immediately offset the Courier and Insurance charges of $ 198 USD through the Company given payment instruction as follows to enable the receiving company insure and deliver the card to your address;

MONEY-GRAM TRANSFER.

Receiver name: === Johnson Mba
Address: ==== 5, Alhaji Dansou street
Country: === Benin Republic.
City: === Porto-novo.
Test question: == right?
Answer: == yes
Amount: $ 198 USD

Send the Money Transfer Control Number to this office for further action. Be informed that delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours after our confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you know that the delivery fee receipt will be attach on your payment delivery documents to avoid being delay by the customs. Please advice this office your preferred time of visitation for delivery and be informed that your valid ID card must be presented to the dispatchers before release will be done.

TAKE NOTE. Be aware that you are the only person left to receive your ATM Card out of the (6) Six beneficiaries and for your confirmation go to DHL Express Delivery Services website and you will see the one on Transit and the ones we delivered ( 7094294130) 1106958510, 4,855,973,872).

I stated the above for you to know that you are the only person left to receive your ATM Card So call the Director, ATM Payment: Mr. Richard Garry with +229 67377888, and email him for more details regarding the shipment of your ATM Card. You have to stop any further communication with anybody or office for you to receive your own ATM Card without any further delays.

If you will follow my sincere advice I will urge you to contact them immediately to make things less complicated to you. Thanks.

I will wait to hear from you ASAP.

Mr.George Wilson,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam