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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:
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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:
  • "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: "Funds Office" <nigeriainvestigationoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:52:42 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT TODAY


*MS GERSTELER,*
**
*BE INFORMED THAT I WENT TO THE BANK AND TO THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF
FINANACE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS NEED TO BE DONE FOR THE LEGAL/VITAL
DOCUMENTS TO BE PROCESS IN YOUR NAME AS THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF THE SAID
FUND THAT WILL BE EEFECTED/RELEASED TO YOU.*

*NOTE THAT THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER TOLD ME THAT YOU HAVE TO COME DOWN
HERE IN NIGERIA TO SIGN AND ENDOES ON THE LEGAL DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE
PROCESS IN YOUR NAME.*

*BEAR IT IN MIND THAT I TOLD HER THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COME TO
NIGERIA TO SIGN ON THE DOCUMENT, SO SHE TOLD ME THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY 1,250
EUROS FOR THIS TO BE DONE IN YOUR FAVOR.*

*SO YOU ARE URGENTLY ADVICED TO SEND THIS FEE TO THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER
THROUGH THE ABOVE NAME OF PERSON BELOW.*

*NAME OF THE RECEIVER: MIKE OKAFOR
ADDRESS OF THER RECEIVER: LAGOS NIGERIA
TEXT QUESTION: TO WHO
ANSWER: MIKE
AMOUNT TO BE PAID: 1,250 EUROS
SENDER NAME/ HOME ADDRESS..................
MTCN/CONTROL NUMBER..........................*

*BE REST ASSURED THAT AS SOON AS THE FEE IS BEEN MADE BY YOU TO THE OFFICE
OF THE MINISTER THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS WILL BE PROCURED IN YOUR NAME AND YOUR
FUND WILL BE RELEASED TO YOU IMMEDIATELY.*

*THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU.*

*BEST REGARDS
DR TONY AUSTINE
THE INVESTIGATION OFFICER.*

* *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam