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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge amount of money" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 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.
  • +2348055868982 (Nigeria, 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.
  • telex_transfer102@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Engr Nuhu" <telex1950@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: telex_transfer102@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:59:28 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT ADVISE FOR THE RELEASE OF YOUR FUNDS, $15.5M

PERSONAL FAX MEMO

From:
TELEX DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
Personal E-mail : telex_transfer102@yahoo.co.uk
Tel/Fax : 234-80-55868982

ATTN: CONTRACTOR WITH
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

MESSG. NO 1170

PAYMENT ADVISE FOR THE RELEASE OF YOUR FUNDS.

Sir,

Because of my stategic position in Telex Department of the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) I have the privilege to give you this very secret information
concerning your contract payment. I wish to inform you that your Contract
Payment will be transfer in our affiliate Bank in London, BARCLAYS BANK OF
LONDON.

You are hereby advice to contact me immediately with your banking coordinate
and other vital information in other for you to confirm your fund in your
account by your bank manager.

You are to have all this documents with you before the fund can effect in
your account, I am delighted to inform you that Bank to Bank wire transfer
from London to your account in USA will take these legal requirements.
Transfering such a huge amount of money follows stringent security and legal
scrutiny, which takes these legal documentations.
(1)Certificate of Clean and Clear Origin of Funds.
(2)Drug laundry and Terrorist Certificate
(3)Three years Tax Clearance papers
(4)Affidavit of Claim
(5)Insurance Bond
(6)Global Immunity Certificate

These documents will ensure smooth transfer to your account, as it will free
the funds from questioning by the authorities in USA about the source and
legitimacy of the funds. These papers will show that this money is a
legitimate money and not money made from illicit transaction like hard drug
or from corruption and also not meant for illegal purpose like sponsoring
terrorist activities but for a legal investment in USA.

Both my legal fees and official fees to obtain these documents will cost you
$350. If you are ready for me to assist you out. As soon as you are ready,
you let me know to enable us expedite action on this.

Thanks.

Best Regards,
ENGR. NUHU.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam