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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. )
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +2348033905198 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Australian Fiducial Agent <fathercostal7@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 19:53:10 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CHOOSE ONE TRANSFER OPTION


Dear Lucky Winner,

I have received your email as well as your verification form which you fill out correctly as well as your winning information.

Therefore I shall proceed to give you the contact of the paying bank who are responsible for the Transfer/remittance of your winning amount to any Nominated account of your choice.

Hence we have with the help of the bank proceeded on your request to process your winning amount in the form of true certified check, which will be sent off to Your precise address via any of the world acclaimed Delivery services such as DHL .

Hence you shall proceed to write to the bank Immediately so that they will give you specifications On how to send off the check which are already in your Name to your address so that you can cash it at your Convenience over there in the United States

The paying bank will also help you obtain on your Favor a letter of identification and authorization Which will fully identify you as the bonafide owner of The fund as well as to help you in the cashing of your Check.Nevertheless you will be responsible to send off to
the bank the delivery/shipment fee as well as the fee to obtain the necessary documents which will be sent Alongside your cheque which will help you cash it. The
bank once you contact them will give you Specifications on how to make available the fee to
them so that the can send off the check to your precise address. However the bank in your favour or request to have this your winning fund transfered telegraphically to your nominated account that is if you choose bank to bank as an option. They will equally let you know there C.O.T so that you have two options of transfer which include:

1) Telegraphic Transfer
2) Certified cheque, which will be mailed to your precise address.

MAKE SURE YOU FILLOUT THE BELOW INFORMATION AND SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO THE BANK :-

FULL NAME...............
PHONE #...................
OCCUPATION...............
CONTACT ADDRESS........
AGE..................
GENDER.........

The bank's Contact is as follows the bank with the option you have choosed.

Name of Bank: UNION BANK PLC
Address of Bank:HEAD OFFICE STALLION PLAZA,36 MARINA LAGOS, NIGERIA
Contact Person: MR PAUL BRUNTON
Position Occupied: INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE
Email: info@unionbankplcng.com
PHONE: +234 8033 905 198

Once you contact the bank do well to let me know as you progress with the bank.

God bless you.

Rev father John Costal

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam