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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:
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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)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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: "Owen Bradson" <owenbrr@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: owenbrr@myway.com
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 18:42:49 -0700
Subject: PLEASE READ AND CONFIRMED////


EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR)
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
(C.B.N) HEADQUARTER - ABUJA.
ATTN: PRES/DIRECTOR.

Dear Sir/Madam, YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT
#:NNPC-CAC/PED/FGN/KADREFX420/01.


Our records of outstanding contractors due for payment, with the
federal government of Nigeria, Your name and company was discovered
as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received
their
payments. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed
and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.
Also note that from our record here in Central Bank, your outstanding
contract payment is $20.2million dollars (Twenty million two hundred
thousand united states dollars)Please re-confirm to me if this is
inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the
followings
1)
Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.

As soon as the above information are received, your funds would be release
to your
account ,via through any form of payment as requested by you either
through, telegraphic transfer / certified bank draft via the central bank of
Nigeria, which a copy of payment slip will be given for your full
confirmation through your bank. please note that after you had receive
your above funds into your account which a power of attorney requested from
you stating that the central bank is not owing you/ your company again,
As I had been instructed for releasing payment a highly rate of urgent
is requested from you nor your company as soon you have received this
mail today, do get intoucgh to me through my Direct Line
CALL MOBILE any time from now with the information
requested from you.

Regards,
MR OWEN BRADSON
Head of Foreign Operation
Heahquarter Zaria Street,Garki ABUJA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam