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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "cheque " (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "First Bank" <infofbn016@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: officialreport@ymail.com
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:55:47 +0100
Subject: Re: Approved Payment Notification.


Dear Sir,

You are reading from me as regard the continual reports on defalcation of
Approved Foreign Payment, abuse of offices and various Financial
Irregularities adopted by Top Government and Bank executives here in our
country "Nigeria". This prompted the Federal Government of Nigeria to
appoint only our Bank; First Bank of Nigeria (PLC) to proffer lasting
solutions to these enlisted problems. Every Documents relating to this
respect and other Foreign International payment are on my desk as it was
handed over to our Bank for due scrutiny.

You were among the enlisted beneficiaries we have so far discovered by
proven records available to us and thus become mandated to reach you on this
medium we are able to retrieve from the submitted files of foreign
beneficiaries who have not been cleared for one payments or the other and
the Bank is ready to transfer the approved payment to any country of your
choice when you have respond to this mail.

I will upon your response give you adequate procedures to accord the
transaction. Thus, you are equally advised to confirm the following
information to me viz: Full Home/office Address, Phone and Fax, scan copy of
your international passport/driver's license for verification, harmonization
and processing of your payment either by setting up an account with our
bank, Issuing a Certify bank Draft, Cheque or ATM-DEBIT CARD. All depends of
which suit you most.

Revert back to me with your option.

Regards,

Bashiru A. Bakare

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam