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. )
- "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. )
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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.
- +22996674320 (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.
- officefile63@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.David Owen" <kelveeni120@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officefile63@accountant.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2017 22:58:21 +0300 (EAT)
Subject:
=?iso-8859-1?Q?DON=92T_OVER-LOOK_THIS_E-MAIL_AND_BE_URGENT_ATTENTION.?=

Central Bank of BENIN/CBB/
Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way
Central Business District,
Cadastral Zone,
Porto Novo, Federal Capital Territory,
Email( officefile63@accountant.com )
BENIN, Call: +229 9667 4320

Attention To Your

This is to report to you that our /CBB/ bureau have received a
correspondence from the Federal High Court Today JANUARY; 16th 2017, as
cancellation notice of your funds transfer to be deleted from foreign
payment file. sincerely have you sit down and ask your self one question?
Why is it that you have all these Documentations and yet you have not
received your funds from Benin Rep? It's your fault? No is not your fault
because we will not in any way violate any Central Bank Law in trying to
finish this project and the truth is what I want to deep down to you if
only you can listen.

I know it is because of your lack of trust and what you are hearing that
makes you not to believe in any one again or are you dealing with body or
people in regard of your fund? because I am not receiving your email and
the truth is that you are about to lose your fund now if you did not reply
to this massage? Honestly if you don't want to listen then you are free
but the fact remains that I cannot deceive you because my bible says what
shall it profit a man to gain a material things and loose its soul, any
way their is good news now, I raised some money to help you out and make
sure that your transfer will be release by you if you can be able to raise
and send $45 immediately with your account details because with my power
as CBB Executive Manager I vow to help you. you’re $9.800,000.00 depending
on your choice today,

I did this to cut down the stress for you and for you to know who you are
dealing with because you will send the remain balance once you confirm
your transfer into your account because I don’t see the reason why you
keep silent to this bank, Honestly before God and man, I am just
disappointed at your behaviors or are you dealing with wrong one because
you know that this is a great bank and this great bank cannot deceive you
nor I, Now that I have tried to help you I want you to pay the $45 and
leave rest okay, then watch me at-least for this time if I am telling you
lies or truth?

Your payments is already approval from Central Bank for you to receive it
but the management here says that you must pay for activation update
charge before you can receive your fund, Send it through Money Gram or
Western Union immediately, I have assured you that this is genuine and
legitimate. send it and make sure you reconfirm your account information
okay.

I swear that If I fail to release your payment after you send the $45 as I
promised now, Please don’t trust or count on me or Central Bank which I
represent again, I cannot fail you and I can say it more and more, I
promise you okay, don’t fear as soon as you send the $45.

Make sure that you try your possible best to look for the money and Pay it
immediately via Money Gram or Western Union with the Payment Information
Below because you’re fund depending on your choice on this and don't allow
doubt or fear to deceive you: THE BALL IS NOW IN YOUR COURT! The fee is
not big again that you will blame anybody because now everything depend
only on your choice and you can see it by your self. You are free to rush
immediately and send the $45 then reply immediately with your full account
detail for urgent transfer today, So I am waiting for the MTCN if you can
be able to send it immediately so kindly get back to me and let me know:

Below is transfer Information.

Receiver Name: RON AKA
Address: No.131,Presidential Road, Benin Republic
City ::::Cotonou
Question: How Long
Answer: 2hrs
Mtcn#:::::
Amount: $45

I promise you as soon as we hear from you with the payment of $45 and
reconfirmation of your account details today we shall send your transfer
confirmation slip the same today you send the $45 without asking you for
any fee again. I swear. Note higher authorities that is in charge of
international transaction has this morning declared that you will receive
your $9.800,000.00 release Only to you as a compensation for your past
effort here in Benin Republic.

Thank you, Looking forward to hear from you again today.

Regards,

David Owen| Customer Service Executive | CBB| Central Bank Of BENIN
Office | Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way
Central Business District,
Cadastral Zone,
Porto-Nov o, Federal Capital Territory BENIN
Email( officefile63@accountant.com )

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: Information contained in this e-mail
transmission is privileged, confidential and covered by the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-2521.This electronic
mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the
exclusive use of the specific individual or entity to whom it is addressed
and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential
and/or exempt from disclosure. If you have never been scam before, Please
Delete because this massage is made for the scam victims only ! Thank you

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam