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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "await your urgent response" (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.
  
• 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.
  • usman_bako@email.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "usman_bako" <usman_bako@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:35:16 -0600
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENCIAL.


FROM THE DESK OF:-
SENATOR USMAN BAKO
Alternative Email:usman_bako@email.com

REMITTANCE OF US $25.5M (TWENTY FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ONLY)

Dear Friend,
My name is Alhaji Usman Bako, I am the secretary senate committee on foreign payment review currently sitting in Lagos as it has been set-up by the
presidency under his Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo the senate Federal
Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance to look into delays in
all foreign contractor funds owned by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This message might come as a surprise but you have to take it as it is. As we
got your contact in search of a trust-worthy person in whom we can remit the sum of $25.5m(Twenty Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars Only) to his bank account, This fund was the total amount approved by the presidency / the senate and the federal ministry of finance to be paid without delay to a foreign contractor, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding reached between the presidency (CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO) The world bank, European Economic Community (EEC), the international monetary fund (IMF) The Paris club,the united nation (UN),Foreign dept Clearance Committee (FDCC).

The real beneficiary has been very difficult to get as all his phone and fax
lines are no more working all our effort to get to him or his relation has
proved abortive, Then I make up an arrangement with some of my colleagues to move this fund out immediately before the report will be submitted to the
presidency and the rest of the committee involve, I am known appealing to you in assisting us get this fund in your care as the real beneficiary, as all
important documentations will be made here and send to you without delay if you are interested to assist us.

All possible arrangement of sharing this fund will then be decide immediately
you get it through to your personal bank account. I am assuring you that there is no risk involve on this transaction all I needed from you is your full name,international passport, your phone/fax numbers and also your bank particulars for all the necessary arrangement, and to crown it-up your full co-operation and trust.

I would appreciate if you get back to me by mail with the necessary information for onward transaction, and I am using this opportunity to tell you to keep all this only yourself as I know strongly that it is going to be of full benefit for both of us .I would appreciate if you more interest on this and if otherwise please feel free to let me know.

I await your urgent response.

Best-Regards
Alhaji Usman Bako
Secretary to the committee.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam