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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • progress64@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.Isa Mustapha" <prosperity_1950@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: isamustapha@peacemail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 15:59:35 +0000
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED

BUSINESS PROPOSAL:

TRANSFER OF US$ 41.5 M (FORTY-ONE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED
STATES DOLLARS).

First, I must solicit your trust and strictest confidence in this
transaction, this is by nature of the top secret information I am about to
divulge to you. You were introduced to us by a mutual aquaintance from the
Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Trade Division, who does not know of
the nature of what I am about to introduce to you. He only know that I have
some funds to invest abroad, hence he recommended you.

I am Dr Isa Mustapha, the Director of Engineering & Project of the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation(N.N.P.C) in Lagos, Nigeria. I am seeking your
assistance to enable me transfer the sum of US$41,500,000.00 into your
private company account for mutual benefits. This money came about as a
result of a contract for the supply of two thousand, three hundred and
sixty-seven computer unit, installation and the Y2K compliance turn-around
maintenance executed on behalf of my Ministry(N.N.P.C), in the year 1999.
This contract was officially assigned to be awarded and executed by two
foreign contractors at the tune of US$105,500,000.00, but in the course of
my negotiation, I bargained with only one foreign contractor, a Bulgarian
firm which now executed the contract at the cost ofUS$64.000.000.00. Thus
leaving the remaining US$41.5M floating in the escrow account of the Central
Bank of Nigeria(C.B.N) to the benefits of we the three members of the
contract award panel unknown to the contractor and any other person in my
Ministry. This contract has been satisfactorily executed and inspected as
the Bulgarian firm is presently securing his payment from my Ministry.

It is however to this effect that I seek your maximum assistance and
approval to present your company name alongside with the Bulgarian
contractor as the second foreign contractor to enable me transfer the
difference (US$41.5M) into your account for further investment depending on
your advice.

On actualization of the transaction, the funds will be shared thus: 1.30% of
the money go to you for acting as the beneficiary of the funds. 2.10% for
reimbursement to both parties for incidental expenses that may be incurred
in the course of the transaction for insurance, phone bills, documentation
etc. 3.60% to we three members of the Contract Award Panel.
All logistics are in place and all modalities worked out for the smooth
actualization of the transaction within fourteen working days of
commencement after receipt of the following information by email, Your
company's Name, Address, Phone/Fax number and activities. Also, if we opt
for electronic transfer only other than payment by solar bank draft or cash
call programme, then your bank account particulars.

The above information will enable me make the application and lodge claims
to the concerned Ministries in favour of your company or name and it is
pertinent to state here that this deal is entirely based on trust and the
fear of God.

If you are able to handle, feel free to reach me with this email address:
progress64@netscape.net Also furnish me with your own phone and fax numbers
as I will be sending you immediately I receive your positive response some
classified documents.

Thanks in anticipation for your positive response.

Yours faithfully.

Dr Isa Mustapha

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam