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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.McMullen Merfeld (Payment Coordinator)."
<mcmullen.merfeld@protonmail.com>
Reply-To: mcmullen.merfeld@mailfa.org
Date: Mon, 03 Apr 2017 15:55:49 +0200
Subject: Dear Valued Beneficiary (Last reminder).

--
Dear Valued Beneficiary (Last reminder).

On behalf of the World Bank, the United Nations (UN), the United States
Treasury Department, The International Criminal Police Organization,
ICPO or INTERPOL and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), it has been
identified that you were in several contacts with people in various EU
Countries, United States of America, United Kingdom- London, Malaysia,
Nigeria/Entire Africa Region, the entire Asia Countries and the entire
Middle East without you knowing their operating locations.

The World Bank has pledged that all scam reconciliation payment should
be made by a reputable bank via any chosen/preferred payment method.
After a judicial review by the World Bank and the G20 Summit. The United
Nations have carried out a judicial due diligence and we hereby confirm
that these impostors operates with false promises by the form of fake
diplomatic services, fake online banking system, fake lawyers, fake
intimate online dating love and fake security firms/companies.

Consequently, the UN has by virtue of this constitutional power and
authority wish to inform you that the sum US$1,5000.000.00 (One Million,
Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars Only) will be paid to you
with the view of making sure that you receive this fund, via a scam
compensation agreement once we ascertain your bonafide status that you
have lost money through any means mentioned above.

For effective compensation processing, we want you to reconfirm the
following information ASAP:-

1) Your full names.
2) Your telephone and fax numbers.
3) Your bank account details if you want a wire transfer.
4) Your secured delivery address if you want payment by a certified bank
draft, debit card or related instrument of payment.

Once we receive information above, we shall advise you accordingly.

We await your urgent attention.

Dr.McMullen Merfeld.
PAYMENT COORDINATOR.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam