419 scam: "Franklyn Woodward"<probst@ursei.ac.ru> Attention:Sir/Madam.

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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:
- "activation 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. )
- "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. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +2349090178815 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Franklyn Woodward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cb000998nig@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2017 11:18:08 -0700
Subject: Attention:Sir/Madam.

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
NDIC Building (1st Floor),
Plot 447/448 Constitution Avenue,
Central Business District,
P.M.B. 532, Garki Abuja, Nigeria.

Attention:Sir/Madam.

We have confirm receipt of your e-mail and content well noted and observed accordingly.

Therefore, to initiate your compensation fund transfer, you are expected to open an account with First Bank Nigeria Plc in your name. It is from this activated account that your fund would be transferred to your designated account in your home Country.

The deposit you are going to use in activating this account will be refunded to you at any time you so desire to close the account after fund have be transferred. Also, all the covering documents issued are available and would be sent to you by air mail, after you must have satisfied the Banking requirements.

Account Type

Vaulting Account: This account enjoys the full service of the Bank and can be operated from anywhere in the world online. Your fund would be transferred in 24hrs after confirmation of payment. The basic requirement to activate this account is an activation fee of ($138) only.

OPENING ACCOUNT FORM
____________________________________________________
Name:
____________________________________________________
Address:
____________________________________________________
Home Phone:
____________________________________________________
Cell Phone:
____________________________________________________
Date of Birth:
____________________________________________________
City:
____________________________________________________
State:
____________________________________________________
Country:
____________________________________________________
Zip Code:

PERSONAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR FUND TRANSFER ( Official Use Only )
____________________________________________________
Account Holder:
____________________________________________________
Account No.:
____________________________________________________
Routing No.:
____________________________________________________
Bank Name:
____________________________________________________
Bank Address:

You are to visit any of the Western Union or Money Gram Outlet and make Account Activation Payment of $138 to:

Receiver Names: NDUKA STEPHEN ABRAHAM
Receiver Address: Lagos-Nigeria
Question: What For?
Answer: Good News.
Amount: $138

Once is done, you are therefore advice to send us the payment detials (MTCN)for clarity sake before your fund can be transferred/Wire into your local account in your Country. These services are to provided by the First Bank and the transfer will take place at the specific stipulated time, after payment has been made by you and confirmed by our account officer.

NOTE: First Bank is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and as a result, you will have to follow the Banking policy of the Nigeria Government by making payment for activation charges.Also, that your fund is protected by a hardcover insurance policy,which makes it impossible to deduct any amount from the money before it is remitted to you. This means that the said charges cannot be deducted from your fund.

You can call me on my phone number below and also a copy of your driver's license or International passport for identification purposes.

Regards
Franklyn Woodward
Director, Debt Recording
and Settlement Department
Tel: +234-909-017-8815

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam