419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

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:
- "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)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- barclays.frankmaureen.bankplc@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barclays Bank Plc, London" <rosemary_silva@sametrade.com.br>
Reply-To: "Barclays Bank Plc, London" <frankmaureenfrankky@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2011 07:59:48 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: RE: INSTRUCTIONS on how TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF
US$5,800,000.00

BARCLAYS BANK OF UK

Barclays Bank PLC

1 Churchill Place

London, E14 5HP,United Kingdom

http://www.barclays.co.uk

Dear Customer,

RE: INSTRUCTIONS on how TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF

US$5,800,000.00

We at this bank wish to congratulate and inform you that after through

review of your Inheritance/Contract funds transfer release documents in

conjunction with the Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund

assessment report, your payment file was forwarded to us for immediate

transfer of a part-payment US$5,800,000.00 to your designated bank account

from their offshore account with us.

The Audit reports given to us shows that you have been going through hard

times by paying a lot of money to see to the release of your funds, which

has been delayed by some dubious officials. We therefore advice that you

stop further communication with any correspondence outside this office

since you do not have to pay any money or fee to receive your funds as you

have met up with the whole funds transfer requirements.

The only thing required from you is to obtain the Non-Residential

Clearance Form to enable us credit your account directly by telegraphic

transfer or through any of our corresponding banks and send copies of the

funds transfer release documents to you and your bankers for confirmation.

Should you follow our directives, your funds will be credited and reflect

in your bank account within five (5) bank working days from the day you

obtain this Non-Residential Clearance Form.

For further details and assistance on this Remittance Notification, kindly

forward your FULL CONTACT ADDRESS, TELEPHONE and FAX NUMBERS directly to

my private E-mail: barclays.frankmaureen.bankplc@gmail.com

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Maureen Frank

Head, International Banking Division.

Barclays Bank PLC, UK.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam