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. )
- "moneygram" (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 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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- mgt7770@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Money Gram Transfer <federalministryoffinanceng32@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mgt7770@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2016 09:04:23 +0100
Subject: HAPPY CHRISTMAS DEAR CUSTOMER OUR PRESIDENT INSTRUTED US TO RELEASE
YOUR FIRST PAYMENT OF $13,642.37. USD FOR YOU TO USE IT AND BUY CHRISTMAS THING.

MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT REPUBLIC OF BENIN.FOREIGN CONTRACTOR
PAYMENT OFFICE COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 555 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD
OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
Web Site;.https://secure.moneygram.com/track/

Email (mgt7770@gmail.com)

MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT

Your first payment $13,642.37. USD has been sent
at (MG): with Reference number 62272243 track
it for confirmation {
https://secure.moneygram.com/transactions/62272243/Shabangu

How are you today? I write to inform you that we have already sent you
$13,642.37. USD usd dollars
through money gram as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full
compensation payment total sum of $2.8
Million USD,via money gram by this government. I was calling your telephone
number to give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my
calls through out that yesterday even this morning.

Now,I decided to email you the REFERENCE NUMBER and sender name so that you
will pick up the first payment $13,642.37. USD usd today to enable us send
another $13,642.37. USD usd tomorrow as you know we will be sending you
only
$13,642.37. USD usd per day. It was agree that you will pay the sum of
$70.00
before they will release the fist payment $13,642.37. USD to you with
information below Here the money gram information to pick up the
$13,642.37.
USD immediately you sent the transfer charge of $70.00 right now (Money
Gram
or Western Union )and it will serve as re-confirmation of your file payment
from the office in charge.

click here to view your transaction status .
https://secure.moneygram.com/transactions/62272243/Shabangu
Your payment is available.

1) Senders Name: Shabangu
2) MTCN Number: 62272243
3)Amount: $13,642.37. USD.

So use information go Money Gram right now sent the
$70,00 and pick up your first payment $13,642.37.
USD today and pick up another
$13,642.37. USD tomorrow . Below is the information you will use to send
the
$70. via Money Gram or western union immediately you receive this message,

Name of Receiver:John Jekwu
Country Benin Republic
City Cotonou
Amount: US $70.00
Question.... Best
Answer.... Right
REFERENCE
Sender's name:.....
Sender's address..

Be advise that the $70.00 is a compulsory as they told me that is only
money
you will pay until you receive your payment completely, you have to
re-confirm
your full Name and home address and direct phone number to avoid any wrong
deposit okay. I am waiting for your payment information once you send
the $70.00 to enable
you
pick up this today $13,642.37. USD usd, Please email me your direct
telephone
number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the
information's.

Email (mgt7770@gmail.com)
Thank,
Dr.John Dially
MONEY GRAM HEAD DIRECTOR

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam