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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
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• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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: FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE <fmf_ng3@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <fmf_ng2007@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:43:54 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF US$6.5M.


Head Office: Plot 242, Muhammed Buhari Way,Central Business District, P.M.B 5029, Abuja, FmF, Lagos Central: 154 Marina Way Lagos, Nigeria. RELEASE MONITORING UNITFROM THE DESK OF FINANCE MINISTER(LEGAL PROTOCOL OFFICER) OPFGNOUR REF: FMF/CPN9/04 YOUR REF:PRJ2039/-X192/99/NNPD/503 PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF US$6.5M. ATTN BENEFICIARY I AM Dr. SHAMSUDDEEN USMAN, FINANCE MINISTER OF FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE MY OFFICE MONITORS AND CONTROL THE AFFAIRS OF ALL BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA CONCERNED WITH FOREIGN CLAIM PAYMENTS. I AM THE FINAL SIGNATORY TO ANY TRANSFER OF HUGE FUNDS MOVING WITHIN BANKS BOTH ON THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS IN LINE WITH FOREIGN CLAIM SETTLEMENT. I HAVE BEFORE MY LIST OF FUNDS, WHICH COULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO SOME NOMINATED ACCOUNTS AS THESE ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED EITHER AS, UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS AND OVER-INVOICED SUM ETC. YOUR NAME WAS AMONG THE PEOPLE EXPECTING THEIR FUNDS TO BE TRANSFERRED INTO THEIR ACCOUNT,ON THIS NOTE; I WISH TO HAVE A DEAL WITH YOU AS REGARDS TO YOUR UNPAID FUNDS. I HAVE YOUR FILE BEFORE ME AND HOPE YOUR DATA'S ARE CORRECT AND UN-TAMPERED UNLESS YOU RECONFIRM IT NOT CORRECT. AS IT IS MY DUTY TO RECOMMEND THE TRANSFER OF THESE SURPLUS FUNDS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TREASURY AND RESERVE ACCOUNTS AS UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS, I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE YOU BASED ON THE INSTRUCTIONS I RECEIVED FROM THE FOREIGN RECONCILIATION DEPT OF OCEANIC INTERNATIONAL BANK NIG, PLC TO SUBMIT THE LIST OF PAYMENT REPORTS/ EXPENDITURES AND AUDITED REPORTS OF REVENUES. AT THIS JUNCTURE, WE WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR PART PAYMENT OF US$6.5M HAS BEEN APPROVED THROUGH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT, PAYABLE IN OUR ESCROW ACCOUNT WITH OUR CORRESPONDENCE BANK IN USA CALLED (BANK of AMERICA). YOU ARE HEREBY ADVICE TO RECOMFIRM YOUR CONTACTS INFO AND RECEIVING BANK DETAILS TO ENABLE US SEND AN IMMEDIATE TELEX MESSAGE TO BANK of AMERICA FOR THE CLEARANCE OF YOUR APPROVED FUND THROUGH OUR ACCOUNT WITH THE BANK of AMERICA TO YOUR DESIGNATED BANK ACCOUNT. THIS OFFICE WILL FORWARD TO YOU A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT AS SOON AS WE HEAR FROM YOU FOR COMFIRMATION FOLLOW THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BANK. Honourable Minister of Finance Dr. SHAMSUDDEEN USMANHonourable Minister of Finance
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam