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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "mikeben7000@terra.es" <mikeben7000@terra.es>
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 21:25:35 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT



THE DESK OF MR MIKE BEN,
DIRECTORFOREIGN PAYMENT DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Mr,Mike Ben,
Our ref: CBN/CPN9/04
Your refRJ99/NNPD/503
Attention: Contractor,

IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria your name and company is on the list major contractors who have not received their payments for the Federal Plateau Project.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to th! is letter. Also note that from the record in my file your outstanding contract payment is $10 Million USD (Ten Million United States Dollars).Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.

2) Phone, fax and mobile #.

3) Company name, position and address.

4) Profession , age and marital status.

As soon as this information is received and confirmed, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft from Central Bank of Nigeria and a copy will be given to you for you to take to your bank for confirmation. You must call me on my direct number as soon as you receive this mail for a serious discussion with me and also get back to me immedaitely As a result of the on-going drive of the Government to update its books and clear payment to contractors, I strongly recommend that you promptly start your clearance as soon as possible.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr Mike Ben.
Director foreign department,
Central Bank of Nigeria.





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam