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:
- "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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 company" (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 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.
- agandrewscott@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- (boa affiliate bank plc, benin republic) e-mail ( agandrewscott@gmail.com ) contact him now for the delivery of your atm card. as (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Suzan Paulson ( FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT.)"
<admin@syaisya.com>
Reply-To: agandrewscott@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:06:28 +0800
Subject: CONFIRM RECEIPT NOW

--
IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD

YOUR URGENT CONFIRMATION IS HIGHLY NEEDED FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION.

Dear Email Owner /Fund Beneficiary,

We have actually been authorized by the newly appointed United Nation
secretary general, and the governing body of the UNITED NATIONS Monetary
Unit, to investigate the unnecessary delay on your payment, recommended
and approved in your favor. During the course of our investigation, we
discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily Delayed
by corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert your funds
into their private accounts.To forestall this security for your funds
was organized in the form of your personal Identification number (PIN)
ATM CARD and this will enable only you to have direct Control over your
funds in the ATM CARD. We will monitor this payment ourselves to avoid
the hopeless situation created by the Officials of the bank.

An irrevocable payment guarantee has been issued by the World Bank Group
and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on your Payment. However, we
are happy to inform you that based on our recommendation/Instructions;
your complete Inheritance funds have been credited in your favor through
ATM VISA CARD. You are therefore advice to contact:

MR. ANDREW SCOTT
Director ATM Payment Department
(BOA Affiliate Bank Plc, Benin Republic)
E-mail ( agandrewscott@gmail.com )

Contact him now for the delivery of your ATM Card. As soon as you
establish a contact with him, an ATM card will be issued to you
immediately which you can use to withdraw your funds in any Bank ATM
Machine in your Country, but the maximum is $5000 per day. So if you
like to receive your funds through this means you're advised to contact
but indicate to him if you want to receive the through direct bank wire
transfer to your bank or through on Online banking system.

Re confirm to (MR.ANDREW SCOTT) with the following information as stated
below:

1. Your Full Name:
2. Date of Birth (very important please note this now,).
3. Address Where You Want the Courier Company to Send Your ATM Card
4. Nationality:
5. Occupation:
6. Mobile Number:
7. Private E-Mail Address if you have special email for security of your
fund.:

NOTE: You are advised to furnish (MR. ANDREW SCOTT) with your correct
and valid details. Also be informed that the amount to be paid to you is
USD$3,500,000 that is $3.5 Million. We expect your urgent response to
this email to enable us monitor this payment effectively thereby making
contact with (MR. ANDREW SCOTT) as directed to avoid further delay.

Note that you are going to be responsible for the delivery cost based on
the company you choose among three companies we use to deliver packages
which will be listed to you upon your responds on this mail.

Congratulations.
Regards,
Mrs. Suzan Paulson
suzanpaulsonn@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam