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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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)
- "presidencybbj2017@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Bernard C. Williams" <"ww."@blue.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Barrister Bernard C. Williams" <presidencybbj2017@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2017 21:49:33 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR FUND APPROVED BY OFFICE OF PRESIDENCY ORDER WITH CODE :
GNC/3480/02/22

YOUR FUND APPROVED BY OFFICE OF PRESIDENCY ORDER WITH CODE : GNC/3480/02/22
GENERAL ATTORNEY OF BENIN REPUBLIC
Minister for Justice,Supreme Court of Benin Republic,
Cotonou. BP. 48-76, P.M.B 308, Gorky,

Attn:

I am a Barrister from the Federal High Court Benin Republic,I am
writing this email to inform you officially that your fund file has
been approved by the Presidential Office Benin and we have sent your
information to Federal Ministry of Finance to release your fund
immediately. The Office of Federal High Court Benin Republic has taken
charge after along delay by other agencies like IMF, due to
mismanagement.

It is important to know that I am the Attorney General who applied to
release of your fund OF $15,5M) Yes, I did it because it has become
known and shameful to our government that some of agencies here could
not handle an international transaction, as such. We do apologize for
the mismanagement of the IMF and other agencies and advise you to quit
communication with any of them. Your fund will be release to you
soon:you will not face any disappointment in this again.

Furthermore, we had the Ambassador of your country here signed stamped
your fund documents in our office. This is legally because it will
ensure that the government of your country will not stop your fund
when you start withdrawing.

Finally, it is interesting to know that the management of Ministry of
Economy and Finance (Benin) and Presidential had issued an irrevocable
approval order with Release Code: GNC/3480/02/22 in your favor for the
inheritance entitlement/award winning payment. Transaction ID:
#8345014. To this effect,

International monetary fund (IMF) has deposited your fund since 1 of
may 2017. Hence, you are to contact the current Minister of Economy
and Finance (Benin), at below information for instructions on how to
get your funds:

Name: (Thomas Adam)
Email:( presidencybbj2017@outlook.com)

Yours faithfully,
Barrister Bernard C. Williams (SAN)
GENERAL ATTORNEY OF BENIN REPUBLIC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam