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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • nwmohime@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "newman ohime" <nwmohime4@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:31:44 -0700
Subject: Get back to me....


My Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Newman Ohime, I work in the Central Bank of Nigeria ,
Packaging and Courier Department. I got your contact in my search
for an honest person through one of my colleagues here in the Central
Bank that said that I could confide in you.

I want you to help me clear this Package that is already in Security
Firm abroad, which I shipped through our Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) accredited courier agent, the Courier Company does not know
That it is money that I have in the Package. The amount in the Package
Is Twelve Million United States Dollars Only ($12m), all in ($100.00)
Bills. All I want you to do for me now is this; Give me, your mailing
Address, your Private Phone and Fax, and I hope at the end of the day,
you will have 25% for Your assistance and services.

Further discussions will be centered on how and when you shall be meeting
With the Security Firm. I shall expect you to keep this transaction
confidential, My identity must not be revealed to anybody.

To finalize this transaction you will have to contact me
Via my e-Mail Address above & nwmohime@myway.com

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Newman Ohime
Courier/Packaging Department
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam