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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "lio brown" <brown.lio3@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: brown.lio3@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 11:24:10 +0100
Subject: OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE


OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE
MR. BROWN LIO (OFR)
FMF ANNEX COMPLEX BUILDING
GARKI, ABUJA NIGERIA
YOUR OVER DUE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FUNDS
Our Ref: CBN/FMF/CBX/021/07/009.
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT #:
MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/

Attention Beneficiary,

This is to bring to your notice about the due process of your
outstanding contractual/Inheritance payment which was suspended by the
Central Bank of Nigeria there by stopping the telex unit to pause the
transfer of your contract/inheritance fund to your nominated bank
account.

As a result of this development, verification conducted by the Finance
Ministry in conjunction with the Debt Verification Panel on your
contract/inheritance case,your file has been endorsed for payment
Awaiting your confirmations.

During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it was discovered from the records of
outstanding foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal
Government of Nigeria in the year 2007/2008 that your name and company
is next on the List of those who will receive their fund.

Meanwhile, a man came to my office few days ago with a letter,
claiming To be your true representative. Here are his information for
you to confirm to this office if this man is truly from you or not, so
that the federal government will not be held responsible for paying
into the wrong account.

NAME: MR. JOHNSON WHITE I JOSEPH R. KELLEY I AGAIN DONT KNOW THIS MAN.
BANK NAME: CITI BANK
BANK ADDRESS: ARIZONA.
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 6503809428.

Please, do reconfirm to this office, as a matter of urgency if this
man Is from you.
You are requested to fill and send this information for Verifications
purposes so that your fund will be remitted into your Nominated bank
account.

This fund is as a result of inheritance on your
Behalf.Informationneeded from you for verification is as follow:

(1) Your full name
(2) Your age
(3) Your occupation:
(4) Your telephone/fax number:
(5) Your nationality:
[6] Your account name and account numbe, the name of your bank.

As soon as we receive this, we will commence with all necessary
Procedures in other to remit this money into your account.

The Central Bank Governor, Executive Board of Directors and the Senate
committee for foreign over due inheritance fund have approved and
accredited this Reputable ministry, with the office of the minister of
finance on international remittance/foreign operations, to handle and
supervise the transfer of all foreign inheritance funds for this first
quarter payment of the year 2008.

However, we shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said
Mr.White, if we do not hear from you within the next seven working
Days from today.

We are sorry for any inconvenience the delay in Transferring of this
fund must have caused you.

Best Regards.

Mr. Brown Leo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam