419 scam: "Dr Abubakar Sanni" <customer@davechambs.com> Attn.Beneficiary,

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- drabubakarsanni@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Abubakar Sanni" <customer@davechambs.com>
Reply-To: drabubakarsanni@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:20:53 -0600
Subject: Attn.Beneficiary,

FROM THE DESK OF DR.ABUBAKAR SANNI
DIRECTOR,DEBT PAYMENT OFFICE.

Attn.Beneficiary,

This is to inform you that the World Bank/IMF has passed an order for all
foreign debts be it contract, inheritance or lottery to be cleared under a
limited time. It has come to our awareness that you have been effectively
communicating with non-employees of this financial institutions and
apparently you have to cease all communications with individuals not
referred by us, as this is an illegal act. Else you won't get your fund,
which is one of the reasons why you have not received your payment. Note,
arrangement had been made to pay you your fund through our oil reserve
fund in Natwest bank London. We would have credited your fund and send you
the payment slip, but to avoid mistakes of paying the wrong person
necessitated my letter to you; you are advised to reconfirm the following
information:

(1) Your full name;
(2) Age;
(3) Address;
(4) Tel/Fax number;
(5) Occupation;
(6) Nature of payment;Either Contract/ Inheritance / Lottery.
(7) Amount;
(8) Banking details;

Forward the following over listed information to me via E-mail:
drabubakarsanni@hotmail.com

Your fund will be credited into your designated bank account within three
days of receiving these information needed from you.

Best Regards,
Dr.Abubakar Sanni.
Director, Debt Payment Office.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam