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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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: "Thomas Ella" <thomasella4@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: revdrhomasella10@yahoo.de
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 17:20:02 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION,


Dr Thomas Ella
NIGERIA NATIONAL
PETROLEUM CORPORATION
21 VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS
26-05-2008

ATTENTION,

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information
Gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry,
I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the
sum of(45,500.000.00) FORTY-FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
UNITED STATES DOLLARS,into your accounts.

The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract,executed,
Commissioned and paid for about three years (3) ago by a
foreign contractor.

This action was however intentional and since then the fund has
been in a suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex
Bank.

We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and that is where
you Come in.

It is important to inform you that as civil servants, we are
Forbidden to operate a foreign account; that is why we require
your assistance.

The total sum will be shared as follows: 55% for us, 40% for
you and 5% for local and international expenses incidental to
the transfer.

The transfer is risk free on both sides. I am an accountant with
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). If you find
this proposal acceptable, we shall require the following documents:

(1) Your name and address(2) Your private telephone and fax numbers

for confidentiality and easy communication.

Alternatively we will furnish you with an application form which
you will file and apply directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria,
where this money was deposited, along with a breakdown explaining,
comprehensively what we require of you. With the full assurances
this business will only take us (14) working days to accomplish.

Await your urgent response

Yours Sincerely

Dr. Thomas Ella.

Chairman Contract Award Committee,
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
N.N.P.C.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam