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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "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 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.
  • robertgerg00@uymail.com

Fraud email example:

From: robert gerg <robertgerg22@yahoo.dk>
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 13:15:30 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL


MR.ROBERT GERG
ACCOUNTANT WITH ORANGE TELECOM
COMPANY.

ATTN: THE CHAIRMAN/ATTORNY
CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL
EMAIL robertgerg00@uymail.com

HAVING CONSULTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES, AND BASED ON THE
INFORMATION GATHERED FROM AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION
HERE IN NIGERIA , I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REQUEST YOUR
ASSISTANCE TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF TWENTY SEVEN MILLION
FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS ($27.4 U.S
DOLLARS) INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

THE ABOVE SUM RESULTED FROM AN OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT
EXECUTED, COMMISSIONED AND PAID FOR ABOUT FIVE GOOD
YEARS (5 YRS) AGO BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR. THIS ACTION
WAS HOWEVER INTENTIONAL AND SINCE THEN THE FUND HAS
BEEN IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF
NIGERIA, OUR UNION BANK ARE NOW READY TO TRANSFER THE
FUND TO OVERSEAS, AND THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN TO
ASSIST US FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE HUGE AMOUNT INTO YOUR
ACCOUNT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO INFORM YOU THAT AS CIVIL SERVANTS
WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO OPERATE FOREIGN ACCOUNTS; THAT IS
WHY WE REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE. THE TOTAL SUM WILL BE
SHARED AS FOLLOWS: - 65% FOR US, 30% FOR YOU AND YOUR
COMPANY 5% FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES
INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSFER.

THE TRANSFER IS RISK FREE ON BOTH SIDES. I AM AN
ACCOUNTANT WITH THE NIGERIAN TELECOM [ORANGE
COMPANY]. IF YOU FIND THIS PROPOSAL ACCEPTABLE, WE
SHALL FAX YOU A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR APPLICATION FORM
WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE AND FAX BACK TO US.

THIS BUSINESS WILL TAKE US 14 WORKING DAYS TO
ACCOMPLISH.
FOR SECURITY REASONS ALL CORRESPONDENSE SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO MY EMAIL ACCOUNT.

BEST REGARDS,
MR.ROBERT GERG

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam