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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.

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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: A F <af4info12@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: adamsfprvt@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:28:28 -0800 (PST)
Subject: FOR THE KIND ATTENTION OF THE HON. BENEFICIARY


FOR THE KIND ATTENTION OF THE HON. BENEFICIARY

DEAR SIR/MADAM,

I AM THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION. AND I AM WRITING TO NOTIFY YOU THAT OUR NEW PRESIDENT HAS ORDERED THAT THE SUM OF US$1B DOLLARS BE SET ASIDE FROM THE EXCESS CRUDE OIL REVENUE TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS OF ADVANCE FEE FRAUD AS THIS MENACE HAS SOILED THE NAME OF OUR DEAR COUNTRY NIGERIA.

THEREFORE, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED AS A BENEFICIARY OF THIS COMPENSATION AND THE SUM OF US$800,000.00 ONLY HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR YOU IN A SECURED CASH REMITTANCE CARD (ATM). YOU CAN ONLY WITHDRAW US$5,000.00 DAILY FROM ANY ATM MACHINE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. THIS IS ON A SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE CARD COMPANY.

THIS MORNING, TWO GENTLEMEN WORKED INTO MY OFFICE AND REQUESTED THAT I HANDOVER YOUR CASH CARD TO THEM. THEY PRODUCED A SWORN AFFIDAVIT ISSUED BY A HIGH COURT HERE AUTHORIZING THEM TO ACT AS YOUR AGENT HERE IN NIGERIA AND A POWER OF ATTORNEY FROM YOU AUTHORIZING MY OFFICE TO RELEASE YOUR CASH CARD TO THEM AS YOU ARE TOO-ILL TO APPEAR IN PERSON TO COLLECT YOUR CASH CARD.

I WILL THEREFORE REQUIRE YOU TO CONFIRM THIS TWO MEN WITH THEY NAMES SO THAT I CAN HAND OVER YOUR CASH CARD TO THEM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE NOT THE PERSON THAT SEND THESE MEN, PLEASE EMAIL ME IMMEDIATELY SO THAT I CAN HAVE THEM ARRESTED.

I WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

RESPECTFULLY YOURS

MR. F.ADAMS
FOR THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam