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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "HSBC Advising Service" <admin@dealer.com>
Reply-To: amuntasib@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2017 04:09:01 -0700
Subject: Payment Advice - Advice Ref:[G72712886611] / Priority payment / Customer
Ref:[52168]

Dear Sir/Madam, =

The attached payment advice is issued at the request of our customer. The a=
dvice is for your reference only. =

Yours faithfully, =

Global Payments and Cash Management =

HSBC =

*************************************************************************** =

This is an auto-generated email, please DO NOT REPLY. Any replies to this =

email will be disregarded. =

*************************************************************************** =

Security tips =

1. Install virus detection software and personal firewall on your computer.=
This software needs to be updated regularly to ensure you have the latest =
protection. =

2. To prevent viruses or other unwanted problems, do not open attachments f=
rom unknown or non-trustworthy sources. =

3. If you discover any unusual activity, please contact the remitter of thi=
s payment as soon as possible. =

*************************************************************************** =

=

=

=

=

=

*******************************************************************
This e-mail is confidential. It may also be legally privileged.
If you are not the addressee you may not copy, forward, disclose
or use any part of it. If you have received this message in error,
please delete it and all copies from your system and notify the
sender immediately by return e-mail.

Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be timely,
secure, error or virus-free. The sender does not accept liability
for any errors or omissions.
*******************************************************************
"SAVE PAPER - THINK BEFORE YOU PRINT!"=20

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam