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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mark.rafeala19@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Finance Risk control/Accounts Broker Unit <miu.jos@aol.fr>
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:22:42 -0500
Subject: Are You Capable Enough To Handle This From this prestigious bank in
Spain?

Hello,

I am Mr Mark Rafeala I work in the Finance Risk control/Accounts Broker Unit of a prestigious bank in Spain. Under varying state laws in Spain, financial institutions and other companies are required to turn over any funds considered "abandoned," including uncashed paychecks, forgotten bank account balances, unclaimed refunds, insurance payouts and contents of safe deposit boxes. I have the official duty to process and release unclaimed funds in the bank to government treasury.

Recently, there are multiple abandoned accounts in the bank which I have transferred some to the government treasury. Some of these funds are what I want to transfer out of the bank to a sincere and trustworthy person for either investment purpose or sharing between us. Can you handle this with confidentiality, sincerity and seriousness?

Please indicate your interest by simply replying to this email with your full personal details below.

(1) Your Full Name:
(2) Full Residential Address:
(3) Phone And Fax Number:
(4) Occupation:

I anticipate your urgent response to this financial deal.

Your responds should be forwarded to my private email below.

mark.rafeala19@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Mr Mark Rafeala
Finance Risk control/Accounts Broker Unit

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam