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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Uba" <patrick12_10@msn.com>
Reply-To: patrickuba006@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2006 03:12:43 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENCY

ATTN: Friend,

>From the desk of Executive Director/Financial
Controller Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation(NNPC)
Falomo Office Annex Lagos Nigeria,


I am extending this message to you in my capacity as Chief Accountant
and in full agreement with the Auditor-General of this company(Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation).

We have scrutinized all records and accounts of Awarded and executed
contracts of this company (NNPC) during the previous military regimes
since the inception of democracy in Nigeria and carefully uncovered and
mapped out a whopping sum of USD42M which we want to transfer into your
account as the beneficiary.

It might interest you to know that Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation
came into full working capacity during the inception of current
civilian dispensation at a working/asset capacity of USD3Billion and will
defiantly gulp more USD2Billion on the completion of the fifth part.You can
authentically apply for contracts if it interest you to be our client
with full guarantee from me.The money USD42M has been approved for
payment by this company NNPC, Federal ministry of Finance (endorsed by the
Accountant General of the Federation) and to be paid by the Apex Bank of
Nigeria under contract number NNPC/FGN/FMF/CBN/C987/01.
As topcivil servant, we are not authorized to operate foreign bank
account hence our decision to use your account on full trust and confidence
to transfer thismoney outside Nigeria. We have accepted you as our
foreign partner and will regularize the approvals toreflect you as the true
beneficiary of the contractSum USD42M(Forthy-Two Million , U.S.Dollars
Only).
More over, it is pertinent to note that it is not risk and does not
required much engagements since we have taken care of the deal in full
capacity. We have resolved to give you 30% of the total sum for your
assistance. If you are interested in this deal, please contact me
immediately you receive this message through my direct email for more lively
informations.
I am anxiously waiting for your response with hope that you understand
the confidential natureof this transfer.

Yours faithfully,
Eng Patrick Uba

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam