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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +23418923749 (Nigeria, landline)

Fraud email example:

From: chidi fabian <fabian_01@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <chidifabian7@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 16:34:14 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR COOPERATION



International remittance Dept,Global Bank Nig. Plc, Corporate Office,136 Adeola Odeku road,Victoria Island,Lagos - Nigeria. 5-6-2007Hello ,I
am MR. CHIDI FABIAN a banker, staff in the office of the director,
international remittance department, Global Bank of Nigeria Plc,
Lagos-Nigeria. I have urgent and very confidential business proposition
for you.On Nov. 2002, an American Oil consultant/contractor with the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,engr. ROY ALLEN made a numbered
time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at
US$17,000,000.00(seventeen million Dollars ) in my branch.Upon maturit,
I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no
reply. After a month we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from
his contract employers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
that Engr. Roy died from an automobile accident with his wife and three
children.On further investigation, I found out that he died without
making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless
till date. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that
He did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents,
including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.This sum of
US$17,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. With the
informations I garthered from all my proper and adquate investigations
since, I can now ASSURE you that no one will ever come forward to claim
it. It is quite IMPOSSIBLE. According to Nigerian Law, at the
expiration of 5(five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of
the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the
fund.Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner
to stand in as the next of kin to him so that the fruits of this old
man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials who can only enrich their personal pockets while millions of
people all over the world need some part of this fund to survive.This
is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full name and
address so that an Attorney here will prepare the necessary documents
and affidavits which will legimately put you in place as his cousin and
the next of kin, your direct phone number for easy communication. The
money will be paid into your account or paid to you through a cashier
cheque for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me and 40% for you, 5%
for any expenses incured on the process of the transaction including
taxes and 5% for a charity organisation of your choice in your country.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will
be done by the attorney and my position with the bank guarantees a 100%
successful execution of this transaction.If you are interested, please
send the informations to me asap for us to start off immediately.Upon
your response, I shall then send to you an application which you will
fill and forward to the bank requesting the release of the fund to
you.Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that
this transaction would be most profitable for both of us as I will need
your advice in the area of investment in your country. My number is
234 189 237 49. Best regards,Sincerely,Mr. Chidi Fabian

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam