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:
- "clearance fee" (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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
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.
- revvictorchristian@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Rev victor christian <"victor."@violin.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Rev victor christian <revvictorchristian@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2017 15:51:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I have contacted you regarding an abandoned diplomatic consignment
box

I have contacted you regarding an abandoned diplomatic consignment box
and the x-ray scan report box revealed some US dollar bill in it which
could be approximately 12.5Million dollars and the official paper of
the box indicates your contact details. To confirm you as the
authentic beneficiary and also for security Purpose, do send me your
full information for crossed checking of your details with the
information stated in the office.

YOUR FULL NAME, YOUR HOME ADDRESS, OCCUPATION, GENDER, YOUR
HOME/MOBILE TEL NUMBER AND NEAREST AIRPORT CLOSE TO YOU,

Kindly click reply and get your correct and valid details to me as
soon as you get this email. I will give you a call after my
confirmation.

For your information, the box was abandoned by the diplomat who was on
transit to your city because he was not able to pay the Airport
clearance fee of 3,800 dollars.
I have taken it upon myself to contact you personally about this
abandoned box so that we can transact this as a deal and share the
total money 70% for you and 30% for me. As soon as I get the requested
detail from you for verification.

I will pay the clearance fee and make arrangement for the box to be
delivered to you which can be concluded within 4-6 hours after
confirmation is made and upon your acceptance and willingness to
co-operate. All communication must be held extremely confidential to
ensure a successful delivery.

Sincerely
Rev victor christian
revvictorchristian@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam