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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +2348025356902 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: revsister grace <revsistergrace_a17@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <rev3sistergrace@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 11:07:42 +0100
Subject: WEMA BANK NIG PLC



WEMA BANK NIG PLCINTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE / FORIEGN ALLOCATION DEPARTMENT.WEMA BANK TOWERS 54 MARINA STREET LAGOS -NIGERIA. FROM THE DESK :VERY REV.(SISTER) SISTER GRACE MXOLISI DIRECTOR FOR FORIEGN OPERATION(NEWLY APPOINTED FOR SERVICE)DIRECT TELEPHONE:234-8025356902. THE ACCRUED PAYMENT OF YOUR US$10 MILLION WITHOUT DELAY. MODE OF PAYMENT : (1) KEY TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER(MT 100 SWIFT) OR (2) TESTED CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT . DEAR BRETHREN IN THE LORD . Calvay greetings to you in the most respected name of the LORD and may the peace of God Almighty be unto you now and for ever more Amen. This is to bring to your notice that with the order adhered to me today by the president of Nigeria ALHAJI UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA and the Federal Government of Nigeria in conjuction with all the concerned Ministries and Departments for the immediate release of US$10 MILLION Accrued payment of your fund with the Federal Republic of Nigeria because of the bad image tanished in the past caused by their bad and wicked top indigenes officials of his country in the past. I have been mandated to notify you for you to receive this your Accrued US$10 MILLION which is ready to be transfered to your bank account without any further delay,by the federal government of Nigeria. I am Reverend Sister Grace Mxolisi a Catholic Reverend Sister from republic of South Africa (JOHANNESBOUG) but I am apointed temporaly to the Wema Bank of Nigeria plc by the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make sure that all their Contractors/Foriegn firms receives their Contract/Inherittance payment which is now due for payment (from this our appointedbank Wema Bank Plc) which luckily to your name was short listed among the payment profile in order to retain the good name and good image of thier country which has been formally tanished and stained by thier past corrupt indigenes and official government. All you have to do is to reconfirm and send to me the following without delay.(1) Your full and correct banking details. (2) Your telephone and Fax numbers.Your early reply towards the reconfirmation of these requirements to me is very urgent to will enable us scheme your payment schedule and transfer your fund to your bank account without further delay May our good God always be with you Amen. Yours Truly in Service.REV.SISTER GRACE. MXOLISI DIRECTOR OF OPERATION.CALL ME IMMEDIATELY ON MY DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER:2341_4771022
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam