419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (YYYY-MM)

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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "atmcardofficeplcact47@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +22968829615 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- atmcardofficeplcact47@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "HON.DAVID FLETCHER" <"www."@able.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "HON.DAVID FLETCHER" <atmcardofficeplcact47@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2017 11:18:48 +0900 (JST)
Subject: IRREVOCABLE COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF US$5.500,000.00 VIA ATM VISA
CARD

DEAR BENEFICIARY
IRREVOCABLE COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF US$5.500,000.00 VIA ATM VISA CARD

We have actually been authorized by the newly appointed Minister of finance
and the governing body of the United Nations Monetary Unit to investigate the
unnecessary delay on your payment, recommended and approved in your favour.
During the course of our investigation, we discovered with dismay that your
payment has been unnecessarily delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank in
attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and
unnecessary delay in the receipt of your payment.

The United Nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has chosen to pay
out all the compensation funds to 150 Beneficiaries from U.S.A, Europe, Canada,
United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South America, Australia and
Asia and Africa Continent through ATM Visa Card as this is a global payments
technology that enables consumers, businesses, financial institutions and
governments to use digital currency instead of Cash and Checks.

We have arranged your payment to be paid to you through ATM Visa Card and this
will be issued on your Name and shall be posted directly to your address via
DHL or any courier services available in your country. Upon your contact with
us, the sum of US$5.500,000.00 will be credited into the ATM Visa Card and this
will enable you to withdraw your funds in any ATM Machines in your country with
a minimum withdrawal of US$5000.00 per day. Your limit can be increase to any
amount upon your request.

In this regards, you are to contact and furnish the requested information to
the Directorate of International Payment and Transfer with the followings;

1. Your Name:
2. Country :
3. Age :
4. Occupation :
5. Mobile Telephone:
6. Delivery Address:

Endeavour to furnish the above information to the officers below for the
issuance and delivery of your ATM Visa Card;

HON.DAVID FLETCHER
Director of International Payment
Email: atmcardofficeplcact47@yahoo.com
Telephone: +229-688-29615

We required your urgent response to this email as directed to avoid further
delay.

Yours faithfully,
UNITED NATIONS
Public Relation Officer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam