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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:
  • "million us dollars" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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: "MUSA ANKER" <ankermusa@student.com>
Reply-To: ankermusa25@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 21:09:09 +0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE PLS


NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC
7,kofo abayomi
street
Victoria island
Lagos state

ATTEN: PRESIDENT/CEO

I am MR ANKER MUSA the chief accountant of the Nigeria National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC).
Sir, My corporation (NNPC) awarded a contract of US$186,700.00 (One Eight
six Million US Dollars) to a foreign firm to supply Rig and Drilling
Equipment for Port Harcourt River State Refinery here in Nigeria but because
of my position, this contract was over invoiced to US$45,300,000.00(Forty
five Million Three Hundred Thousand United states Dollars).

The original contract sum has been paid to the contractors that executed the
project, now we are left with the sum of US$45,300,000.00(Forty Five
million, Three Hundred thousand U.S.Dollars only).
All arrangements have been concluded on how this money will be moved. My
constraints lie on the fact that I required a foreign firm or individual
account number where the money will be paid into; whose owner will be
portrayed as a contractor/ beneficiary of fund. Infact this is while I am
writing you this letter.

NOTE: There is no risk involved, as I have taken care of all, loopholes
covered.
As a civil servant, I am aware that some financial assistance would be
required to conclude this job, we are prepared to give as much as 35% of the
total sum to you for your assisttance, while 60% of the total sum will go
for me and my colleagues. To this effect, 5% would be earmarked to cover all
the expenses (local and international).
This is because the process would pass through some Directors in the
ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
These officials might require some tips to facilitate payment without delay
since they are not aware of the deal.
Please should you not be in a position to assist me, this deal has to remain
a top secret till the end of time, it is important I mention that the
officials involved in this transaction are men of integrity and prestige in
this great country Nigeria.
You may open a separate bank account in any country for this purpose if you
wish. All arrangements of this quarter payment for the year, 2008 has been
properly organised and further action awaits your immediate response.
Hurry and send to me the above requested information's that we can start to
process for the approval of this payment.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards.
MR ANKER MUSA
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OF (NNPC)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam