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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• 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.
  • +2348034494361 (Nigeria, 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.
  • mike_nnpc_gov@yahoo.com
  • mike_nnpc_gov@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "nigerian national petroleum corp" <nignaplc@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 17:59:01 +0000
Subject: YOUR RESPONSE IS NEEDED



NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM

CORPORATION (NNPC)

[OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL]

Tel: +234-803-449-4361/ Fax: 234-1-759-6694

(Email:mike_nnpc_gov@yahoo.com}

DEAR SIR/MADAM,

A CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS REQUEST

HAVING CONSENTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES, AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED
FROM AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION HERE IN NIGERIA, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO
REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN TRANSFERING THE SUM OF EIGHTEEN MILLION, SIX
HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS ($18,600,000.00) INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
THE ABOVE SUM RESULTED FROM AN OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT EXECUTED, COMMISSIONED
AND PAID FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS (5 YRS) AGO BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR.

THIS ACTION WAS HOWEVER INTENTIONAL AND SINCE THEN THE FUND HAS BEEN IN A
SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AT THE CENTAL BANK OF NIGERIA, OUR APEX BANK. WE ARE NOW
READY TO TRANSFER THE FUND OVERSEAS, AND THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN. IT IS
IMPORTANT TO INFORM YOU THAT AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO OPERATE
FOREIGN ACCOUNTS AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE ARE IN NEED OF YOUR
ASSISTANCE. ONCE THIS TRANSACTION IS SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT, THE TOTAL SUM
WILL BE SHARED AS FOLLOWS: - 70% FOR US, 25% FOR YOU AND 5% FOR LOCAL AND
INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSFER. THE TRANSFER IS RISK FREE
ON BOTH SIDES.

I AM AN ACCOUNTANT WITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(N.N.P.C). IF YOU FIND THIS PROPOSAL PLEASANT, YOU CAN SEND US YOUR BANKING
DETAILS AND YOUR PHONE NUMBER WERE WE CAN REACH YOU AND THIS BUSINESS WILL
TAKE US 21 WORKING DAYS TO ACCOMPLISH. FOR SECURITY REASONS ALL
CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MY PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT
{mike_nnpc_gov@yahoo.com} . PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY


BEST REGARDS,

MIKE AHAMBA

(A.G. NNPC)

Tel: 234-803-449-4361/ Fax: 234-1-759-6694

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam