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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info.larrymusa01@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "info.larrymusa01@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "(INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF))" <info.larrymusa01@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 12:46:20 +0100
Subject: Re: Immediate Telex Confirmation No: BEN4867/New Payment Reference:
873344569/Secret Code No: Mauxxx3//// ******

Attention Please.
Please note that we receive the informations sent, We have come to the
bottom line of your funds transfer, the initial charges for the transfer of
your funds has been waved. We know you have been hearing stories about how
you can get your funds transfer to your position account , but you have to
understand that your fund transfer is still available for you to pickup by
today and tomorrow. However, following existing procedures, you will pay
only $30 US dollars for the certificate of declaration of funds origin and
permanent migrants, before we can process the transfer to your position or
it will result in the cancellation of the transfer.

First I advice that you copy out your Transaction Codes:
1. New Payment Reference: 873344569
2. Allocation No: 24231
3. Password No: Beninbj369
4. Pin Code No: 434
5. Certificate of Merit Payment No: 429
6. Released Code No: 451
7. Immediate Telex Confirmation No: BEN4867
8. Secret Code No: Mauxxx3
9. A mount : $500.000.00 United States Dollars.

We advice you to indicate the options you will be willing to have your fund
made payable to you. Funds that remains unclaimed until the 23rd of April
2013 should be CONFISTICATED and returned back to the Government account
also note that you are require to pay for the certificate of declaration of
funds origin and permanent migrants transfers $30 US dollars. Send the fee
via western union with the Below:

1.RECEIVER NAME---Onyekachi James
2.COUNTRY-- BENIN REPUBLIC.
3.CITY---COTONOU .Add :--NO 123 SEGBEYA cotonou -Benin.
5.TEXT QUESTION--When
6.TEXT ANSWER---Now
7.Amount---$30
MTCN-------------

On sending the fee you are advice to forward the MTCN question and answer
to this email: info.larrymusa01@yandex.com and also reconfirm your
receiving details which the funds are to be credited. As soon as you send
the fee and indicate any of the options which you will like your fund to be
transferred to you, and we shall proceed with the remittance.

We are looking forward to hear from you.
Thank you.
Director: Chief Dr. Larry Musa
I.M.F. (International Monetary Funds.
Contact: info.larrymusa01@yandex.com
Official Officer Of I.M.F.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam