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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "clearance certificate" (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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
  • "courier service" (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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: alhaji adams <alhajiadams7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <adamalhaji@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:34:59 +0100
Subject: FROM: ALHAJI IBRAHIM ADAMS



FROM: ALHAJI IBRAHIM ADAMSATTORNEY GENERAL CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
Date: 21st Nov 2007
I am Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Adams the Attorney General Central Bank of Nigeria I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which just concluded its seating in Abuja federal capital territory just released your name amongst beneficiaries to benefit from the diplomatic immunity payment. This panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated all debts and claims as it has eaten deep into the economy of federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, I wish to bring to your notice that your payment profile is still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid debt while auditing was going on. Your file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed fund, I wish to use this medium to inform you that for the time being federal Republic of Nigeria have stopped further payment through bank to bank transfer due to numerous petitions to united nations against our banks on wrong payment and diversion of funds to different account. In this regards, I am going to use my good office to send your part payment of $6.M (Six million United States dollars) by cash to you via diplomatic courier service. And I will secure every needed document to cover the money including the affidavit from our federal high court, which will bestow the write and privilege to you as the right beneficiary. All these will be only on the condition that you will give me 10% of the fund which is Six Hundred Thousand united states dollars as soon as you receive the money on your door step. Note: the money is coming on 2 security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. This fund was brought to us from World Bank; it was meant for our local afem market.
But you don't have to worry for any thing, as the transaction is 100% risk free. The boxes are coming with a diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to your house address or any address you will provide. All you need to do now upon your acceptance on my condition, is to send to me a guarantee that you will give me 10% of the funds as soon as you receive the $6M, your full house address and your identity such as, international passport or driver’s license including your contact phone numbers, the diplomatic attaches will travel with it. He will call you immediately he arrives in your country's airport. I hope you understand me. Note: for security reasons, the diplomat will not know the original contents of the boxes. What l will declare to them is sensitive photographic film material.
You are advice to call me immediately for more clarification and send the required informations directly to my email and I will let you know how far I have gone with the arrangement. I will secure the diplomatic immunity clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it stand as a diplomatic consignment. This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without hitch. Please, I need urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to live as soon as I hear from you. You should call me immediately you receive this message through my confidential number above. Remember that you should keep this very confidential for security reasons till the conclusion of the transaction.
Best regards,ALHAJI IBRAHIM ADAMS
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam