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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "and cash it" (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.
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.
- mailenbead@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Peter Main <peter.main@aol.com>
Reply-To: mailenbead@aol.com
Date: Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:54:01 +0100
Subject: Online Personal Assistant/ Online accountant-Are you Intrested? Apply
Now

Attention,

Do you have access to a computer, and have up to 2hrs hours spare time per week? You can get paid, No selling is involved, No ads, No experience required as well for this job. Sign-up is free.
Presently, I am looking for an Online Personal Assistant/ Online accountant or book-keeper, Due to my very busy work schedule; I require assistance on some very important personal issues.
At this time, I am only searching for 2-3 personal online assistants.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POSITION: You will mainly be helping me with Scheduling programs, Online Records, Online Accounting/Payment Receiving booking keeping,
supervision and monitoring. Please note that this position is not office based for now because of my frequent travels and tight schedules, it's a part-time work from home. I do have lots of
works piled up presently and numbers of unattended online works which you can immediately assist me with after filling your application form.

ABOUT MY COMPANY: Peter Main Leather Art Gallery is one of the worlds leading art Gallery. It operates in every aspect of art Work. My company deals in the sale of Art and Craft works,
sculptures and carvings, antique artifacts and produces various clothing materials, batiks, assorted fabrics and various traditional costumes from all over the world and I have customers in which
I supply weekly in the States and have reached big sales volume.

Our customers who buy our products pay us by Check, but because of the fact that I’m mostly out of the country and unable to get the payment on time, there is usually a lot of delay,
So your job would be to receive the check, you are to take it to your bank and cash it or deposit and when the check clear in your account, you are to deduct your Salary of $400
while I will instruct you on what to do with the rest.

How would you get paid? Eight Hundred Dollars ($800) every two weeks is your Salary and 3% commission of every assignment you carry out, One and a half hour is our daily work
time either daytime OR evening, depending on your choice of time, plus other incentives and benefits that accrue, which includes tax, vacation, Child day care assistant, health, etc.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: Ability to read and write, ability to use computer and internet. Prompt reply to your email. If you meet these conditions do not wait
to get back to me, A working Email where you can be reached on time.

Please make sure you contact me back via the e-mail address above or below only. I would get back to you within 24hrs when I get your reply.

Fill your Application form for the part time job:

* Full Name:

* Gender:

* Address (NO PO BOX):

* City:

* State:

* Zip Code:

* Phone Number:

* Age:

* Occupation:

* Email Address:

* Is this your first Internet Job?:

OR Send your RESUME. Board of Directors

Peter Main Leather Art Gallery

E-mail: mailenbead@aol.com

Registered ID: 5889799

Reg No: 28709/016677/00)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam