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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "callistus" <a22_callistus@handbag.com>
Reply-To: m123_callistus@fastermail.com
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 07:38:11 -0800
Subject: FROM DR.CALLISTUS VERY URGENT ASSISTANCE

GOOD DAY,

I AM DR.CALLISTUS ATEBE, THE BILLS AND EXCHANGE DIRECTORATE OF
FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT OF GOLF BANK NIGERIA LIMITED. I AM
WRITING THIS LETTER TO SOLICIT FOR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FROM YOU
TO CARRY OUT THIS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN MY DEPARTMENT LYING IN AN
INACTIVE ACCOUNT IS THE SUM OF 13.5 MILLION USD BELONGING TO A
FOREIGN CUSTOMER LATE (MR.KELVIN MORGAN) WHO HAPPENS TO BE DECEASED.

HE DIED WITH HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN IN A PLANE CRASH ON BOARD AN
ADC AIRLINE FLIGHT AT THE EGIRIN RIVER-LAGOS NIGERIA IN NOVEMBER
1996. EVER SINCE HE DIED THE BANK HAS BEEN EXPECTING HIS NEXT OF
KIN TO COME AND CLAIM THESE FUNDS. TO THIS EFFECT WE CAN NOT
RELEASE THE MONEY UNLESS SOMEONE APPLIES FOR IT AS NEXT OF KIN, AS
INDICATED IN OUR BANKING GUIDE LINE. INFORTUNATELY HE HAS NO FAMILY
MEMBERS IN NIGERIA OR ANYWHERE WHO IS AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE
MONEY (AS HE WAS A CONTRACTOR WITH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OFNIGERIA).
AT THIS JUNCTURE I HAVE DECIDED TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU IN
COLLABORATION WITH TWO OTHER OFFICIALS IN THE BANK, TO THIS EFFECT
WE SOLICIT YOUR HELP IN APPLYING AS THE NEXT OF KIN THEN THE MONEY
WILL BE RELEASED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT .

WE DO NOT WANT THIS MONEY TO GO INTO THE BANK?S TREASURY AS AN
UNCLAIMED BILL. THE BANKING LAW AND GUIDE LINE STIPULATES THAT: IF
SUCH MONEY(S) REMAINS UNCLAIMED FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO TEN YEARS (10
YEARS) THE MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED IN TO THE BANKS TREASURY AS
UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

OUR REQUEST FOR A FOREIGNER AS NEXT OF KIN IS OCCASIONED BY THE
FACT THAT THE CUSTOMER WAS A FOREIGNER AND A NIGERIAN CANNOT STAND
AS NEXT OF KIN.20 PERCENT OF THE MONEY WILL BE YOUR SHARE AS
FOREIGN PARTNER. THEREAFTER MY COLLEAGUES AND I WILL VISIT YOUR
COUNTRY WITH YOUR HELP ONCE THE MONEY HITS YOUR ACCOUNT FOR
DISBURSEMENT ACCORDING TO THE AGREED SHARING PARTTERN OF 20 FOR
YOU, 10% FOR INCIDENTAL EXPENSES BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL AND
70% FOR MY GROUP.

YOUR URGENT RESPONSE IS BEING EXPECTED.AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO
ASSIST US YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISE TO FURNISH US WITH THE FOLLOWING.

YOUR NEAREST AIR PORT,YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS, YOUR FAX/TELEPHONE IF YOU
HAVE IT FOR EASY COMMUNICATION, YOUR OCCUPATION AND YOUR AGE.

THANKS AND BEST REGARDS,
YOURS FAITHFULLY,

DR.CALLISTUS ATEBE.


___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/



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