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)
- "daveandangela_charitydonation@zbavitu.net" (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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +448712370371 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Marissa Mayer"
<dave.angelacharitydonation@mrsmarissainfo.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <daveandangela_charitydonation@zbavitu.net>
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:24:40 -0800
Subject: OFFICIAL OFFER

DAVE AND ANGELA DAWES CHARITY COMPENSATION 58 QUEENS-WAYS SUITE 161 LONDON,=
SW1V 3DW, UNITED KINGDOM TEL: +448712370371 REPLY TO: daveandangela_charit=
ydonation@zbavitu.net Dear Winner We are pleased to inform you that my wife=
and I won the biggest Euro Millions lottery prize of =A3101,203,600.70 GBP=
and we just commenced our Charity Donation to give out a cash donation of =
=A3500,000.00GBP to five (5) lucky individuals and ten (10) charity organiz=
ations from any part of the world. To verify the genuineness of this email =
and our winnings, please see our interview by visiting the web page below; =
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8820740/101m-lotter=
y-jackpot-winners-Dave-and-Angela-Dawes-to-give-millions-to-friends-and-fam=
ily.html Your email address was submitted to my wife and I by the Google Ma=
nagement Team and you received this email because we have listed you as one=
of the lucky millionaires in this program and for you to begin your claim =
urgently provide the below details to the claim manager Mr. Patrick John Em=
ail: daveandangela_charitydonation@zbavitu.net as to direct our mandated Ba=
nk to issue a valid Bank Draft in your name for immediate release to your d=
esignated home country upon our received of your details- 1. Full Names. 2.=
Mobile Number. 3. Complete address / State / Country. 4. Age / Sex / Marit=
al Status 5. Occupation. 6. Email ID. 7. And Scanned Copy of Any Valid ID P=
roof Recognized by the Government of your Country for Proof of Ownership. P=
lease be informed that all donation funds must be claimed before 7 days of =
this notification, Congratulations & Happy Celebrations in Advance Yours Si=
ncerely, DAVE AND ANGELA DAWES CHARITY COMPENSATION=20

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam