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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "% will be for you" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mallam Idris <mallamidris076@yahoo.it>
Date: 27 Nov 2007 14:31:37 +0100
Subject: GOOD NEWS FOR YOU NOW GET BACK TO ME (VERY URGENT)

Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit


>From the Desk of paymaster General
Central Bank Of Nigeria
Our Ref:FGN/CBN/IRG/PG/01259
Dear Sir,
100% RISK FREE GUARANTEE

I am the director telex department/paymaster General of the Central Bank of Nigeria,it is my pleasure to inform you of this transaction involving the transfer of US$45million which is 100% risk free.

This money originated from a contract awarded to one MR. SIGRID DELMAR SMITH in the year 2004 which he has suceeded in the execution of the contract. The former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo approved the transfer of this fund US$15million which was to be transfered into his bank account with Australia new Zealand Bank, address: 11 Grand plaza drive,browns palms 4118 Queensland Australia,Account no: 4914-69478,BSB No:014-215,Account type: Business Classic,Account Name:Sigrid Delmar Smith, contract no:NNPC/PED/H-WR/0497/2004. But it is so unfortunate that Mr. Sigrid Delmar Smith who uses his daughter as the next of kin died in a plane crash with the next of kin Miss Delmar Smith.

Since then this fund US$15million has been in the Central Bank escrew account without claim. Sequel to this,I now seek if you could assist me in permitting this fund to be remitted into your account by presenting your banking information so that I will revoke the transfer of this fund to be transfered into the new bank account that you will present. The condition is as follows; 50% will be for me and 45% will be for you and the remaining 5% will be for the expenses.

Based on this, I will send to you all necessary documents that is backing up this fund immediately you indicate your interest as the beneficiary by confirming your banking information to me.

Congratulations in anticipation.

Best regards,
Mallam Idris
DIRECTOR TELEX DEPARTMENT/
PAYMASTER GENERAL
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam