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)
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.
- +447031995011 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Edwin Ezika" <mredwink2@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <mr.edwinezika@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:08:26 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?Cr._Info_-?= =?windows-1256?Q?_29-_10_-1?=
=?windows-1256?Q?4=FE?=

FILE REF. No: GFS/2001811/HSBC-OX1/14

TRANS CODE: GFS/VII-HSBCUS/14

PAYING BANK: HSBC BANK -

AMOUNT: US$3,600,000.00 DOLLARS.

GOOD DAY,

We hereby confirmed the receipt of the above reference investment fund
with the HSBC - USA for further transfer to your designated account by
order of our financial affiliate.

Due to some controversies in your payment file with us, we could not
locate your real receiving bank account, as your financial
representatives have provided us with two different accounts hence, the
delays. Please confirm your awareness to this development.

Alternatively, we hereby advised you for option of payment by means of
an approved / authenticated loaded ATM card direct from the origin
source fund in Africa. More so, Be aware that the ATM card will be
loaded of all your total fund with a maximum processed withdrawal range
of US$10,000.00 (Ten Thousand) dollars per day.

Please confirm and advice urgently.

Regards,

Mr. Edwin Ezika..

5 Windmill Drive, Croxley Green,

Herts WD3 3FF UK.

Phone: +447031995011

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam