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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:
  • "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Robert <michaelrobertmk@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: roy300@myway.com
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:50:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attn:Sir


Attn:Sir,

I am the Secretary,Tenders Board of the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) Nigeria. I got your contact in my search for a reliable person to handle a very confidential transaction involving the transfer of the sum of $18,500,000.00 Dollars (Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

The above fund is not connected with arms, drugs or money laundering,rather,It is the product of an over invoiced contract awarded in 2007 by (INEC) to a foreign company for the supply of electoral materials that were used for conducting the 2007 elections.

The contract has long been executed and payment of the actual contract amount has been made to the foreign contractor leaving the balance of US$18.5 million which me and my colleagues want to transfer out of Nigeria into a reliable foreign account for our personal use.

As civil servants we are not allowed to run foreign accounts.Hence we have chosen to front and support you as the beneficiary to this fund. We have decided to share the money in the following percentage,70% for us,30% for you as the account owner.

Further details about this transaction will be discussed in subsequent correspondence. Note also that the particular nature of your business is irrelevant to this transaction and also know that this transaction is expected to be concluded within 10 working days since all local contacts and arrangements are in place for its smooth and successful conclusion.

If you are interested in the proposal,kindly get back to me by sending me your letter of acceptance,via email,along with your direct telephone andf ax numbers.

Thank you as I await your response.

Sincerely,

Mr Michael Robert (FNIM).




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam