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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "trunk boxes" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Haladu Williams" <haladu_williams4@msn.com>
Reply-To: haladu_williams3@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 17:38:55 +0000
Subject: CONSIDER MY CONDITION

CONSIDER MY CONDITION

Mrs. Sandra Williams
Flat 8 Block 12 NNPC Quarters
Garki Abuja Nigeria.

Hello Dear,

I presume this letter will come to you as a surprise, but as things
unfold,we will know each other better. I will start by introducing myself to
you.

I am Mrs. Sandra Williams, the wife of Chief Jackson haladu Williams,the
recently retired Chief Auditor, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC). I am really sure that you will be of a good assistance after going
thoroughly through this letter.

For many years of marriage now between me and my husband, I have not given
birth, and this has really troubled my husband. As a result of the respect
given to local tradition and custom here in Nigeria, my husband has decided
to break the marriage and I have divorced from him. As at now,I am no longer
Assured of a matrimonial home,hence I seek your urgent assistance and help
which I know will go a long way in getting me settled finally. I want to use
this opportunity to move the sum of (US$18M) into your custody for safe
keeping, pending my arrival in your country.

This said amount was given to my husband as gratification from some Foreign
Oil Companies he helped in getting Allocation for the Drilling of Crude Oil
in Nigeria.
As a civil servant, he does not want to be exposed, hence he gave me this
money to keep so that he can be exonerated from the eyes of government
security operatives in Nigeria.

I contacted my direct sister who introduced an idea for me which I
followed.The money was then neatly packed in two boxes and tagged as
Diplomatic Documents and film materials(PERSONAL EFFECTS).I then deposited
the boxes for save keeping in a security/finance company in Nigeria on
January 3rd 2000. The security company do not know that the two boxes
contains money, this was done for my personal security reasons.The deposit
paper reads: two trunk boxes containing film materials and diplomatic
documents.Please take proper note of this.Some top government officials in
Nigeria use this method to transfer money to their foreign partners outside
the country for confidential reasons.

The little money I use for personal expenses here has finished that is why I
needed your assistance to process the release of the boxes from the security
company where it was deposited. I want these boxes taken out of the security
company to your destination so that I will be able to open the boxes and
retreive the money for my expenses and to arrange myself for business
investment.Please hasten up and help me to recieve these boxes. Be informed
that this money is not connected with drugs; money laundry, firearms and
looting which I believe will put fears in you to render the required
assistance needed from you and consequently withdrawing your help for
security reasons. Hence the source of this said money is clean and clear,
Rather,to help me,kindly prepare your mind so that I can direct you to the
Security Company where the boxes were deposited for the necessary release to
your destination on my behalf under diplomatic immunity.During your contact
with the Security Company,tell them that you are my business associate and
that I instructed that the boxes I deposited with them be sent to your
address. Be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free, and my
husband will not raise any alarm because the deposite documents was written
in my name and in my possession now.

As soon as this money is moved to you, and you confirm to me that you have
received it, I will be coming to meet you there in your country where I wish
to live the rest of my life. I will be offering you 30% of this money if you
show your personal commitment in this transaction and 2.5% of the money will
be used to settle any personal expenses that might been incured along the
line of the transaction and for all your help at this time of need.
Be informed that this transaction will not last more than 14 working days
and it will be concluded because every arrangement has been put in place.

Your positive response will be highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Sandra Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam