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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:
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: "The Mobil Lottery" <mobil-claims1@live.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:44:16 -0400
Subject: SECOND DATE DRAWS

The Mobil Lottery
PO BOX 1010
11 Spring Gardens,
Lagos,M60 2DB.
NIGERIA.

Dear, Lucky Winner

MOBIL SECOND DATE DRAWS LOTTERY, NIGERIA.

Mobil Group of companies(Exxon and Esson Mobil oil and gas)
has finally announced the results of their consumers loyalty promotions draws
held in Lagos Nigeria marking the end of year anniversary for 2007/2008.
As the best and fastest growing oil company in africa.

A total amount of funds amounting to 1.5 million USD.
was released to some selected indivduals arround Europe,America,Asia and Africa
continent.

Therefore your email address was luckily choosen in the online "SECOND DATE
DRAWS"
for emerging as one of our lucky winner and mobil product consumer.

For winning remittance and notorization of claims,
please contact the email address below by forwarding your winning information
to our
fidiciary agent(Mrs.Vanessa Vault).

Direct Email: mobil-claims1@live.com

Your winning information includes;

(*1.)reference number MTC411692563
(*2.)batch numberBTD/9080648302/06
(*3.)promo pin number PP21673658
(*4.) MTC411692563:
(*5.) Full Name:
(*6.) Full Address:
(*7.) Age:
(*8.) Sex:
(*9.) Nationality:
(*10.) Telephone Number:
(*11.) Occupation:
Winning amount $1,500,000 in a certified bank draft.

Regards,
Mobil, Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam