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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:

• 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:
  • "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank 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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2348050922763 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • payofficeng07@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MINISTRY FINANCE <fmfng03@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <payofficeng07@myway.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:20:40 -0400
Subject: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT RELEASE ORDER VALUED USD6.2 MILLION



H/Q FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
RESOLUTION PANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA

Attention: Beneficiary,

From the records of outstanding foreign payments due for release with banks in Nigeria , your name and contact was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding foreigners' payment which are still hanging on and who have not yet received their payments.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you reconfirm your payment details so that we can authenticate the claim legally. Also note that from our record the federal government of Nigeria has only mapped out the sum of us$6,200,000.00 (six million, Two hundred thousand United States dollars) to be released to you for now, after which the remaining part of your claims will be released to you here is your new payment references: allocation no: 674XX07 Password no: 3ZZ39307, pin code no: 55607. Now you are to contact Paymaster General of the Federation for this development. Contact person: Dr. Edward Ralph, Paymaster General. Email: payofficeng07@myway.com Tel: +234-805-092-2763

And forward the following to him

1) Your full name and address. (2) Telephone, fax no: (3) Occupation, (4) Age.
5) Bank account & routing number (6) Bank name & address

Only for processing of your PASSCODE and your fund will be transferred to you immediately. No other charges except the processing fee for Your PASSCODE Listen you are free to make your inquiries regarding to this development with any licensed and reliable authorities. You have no other payment to make except the processing fee. Your Payment will be through Electronic Telegraphic Transfer. No need of calling any solicitor/Official Again to move from one office to another for your payment. This is newly introduced system of payment by the Central Bank of Nigeria to avoid experiences of incessant illegal extortion of money from beneficiaries and to enhance transparency. This will also help you not to be deceived by any person telling you that your funds will be delivered to you at your doorstep through a diplomatic courier company or atm card.

In receipt of the above information your payment will be approved and paid to you by Telegraphic Transfer to your nominated bank account you are hereby advised to contact the Office of the Paymaster General Federal Republic of Nigeria immediately for more clarifications.

Yours truly,
Minister: Mrs. Nenadi Usman
Federal Ministry of Finance
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam