419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (YYYY-MM)

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +22968732392 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- garbashemu@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From:
Reply-To: GARBA SHEHU <garbashemu@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject: CONTACT GARBA SHEHU FOR THE RELEASE OF YOUR $10million dollar
PROJECT.

Dear Friend,
I'm Muhammadu Buhari,Nigeria President,currently in London now for my medical treatment.it's my pleasure to inform you that my doctor has given me little time to write you this letter,meanwhile, I have left a message for my secretary Garba Shehu for the release of the contract fund to you,the total sum of $10million dollar which i had kept for the project.Note that I have concluded with CBN BANK that you must withdraw the fund through ATM VISA CARD to avoid interruption. due to my recent illness,you can't reach me until I return to my country,Though you can confirm the true story from (CNN,BBC,UK METRO local news and google for confirmation of my sickness) therefore you are advise to contact MR GARBA SHEHU, my secretary for the release of the ATM VISA CARD. Email:( garbashemu@gmail.com ) phone(+229-68732392),remember to reconfirm all the necessary information as well to avoid wrong contact or delivery to your
address.

THANKS,
Regard.
RTD Muhammadu Buhari.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam