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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • davidoboh@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3adavidoboh@sify.com

Fraud email example:

From: "OBOH DAVID" <mrdavidobohd@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: mrdavidoboh@sify.com
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 17:40:30 -0700
Subject: I WAIT FOR YOUR REPLY


Mr.David Oboh.
Address:24 Road,c
close,Rewanecrescent,festival
Town Lagos-Nigeria.




Dear Friend,

Greetings to you this blessed day, I am Mr.David Oboh from Nigeria in West
Africa and I am an Accountant with the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (N.N.P.C).

First and Fore most,I apologize using this medium to reach you for a
proposition of this magnitude, but this is due to confidentiality and
prompt access reposed on this medium. I have decided to seek a confidential
co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described herein for the
benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of
the Nature of this transaction.

Within the N.N.P.C where I work as an executive accountant and With the
co-operation of other four top officials, we have in our possession an
overdue payment bills totaling THIRTY-FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS
(US$35 Million) which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and
co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said funds on
our behalf or a reliable foreign company/private account to receive such
funds.

However, we are handicapped in these circumstances, as the Nigerian Civil
Service Code of Conducts does not allow us to operate offshore accounts
hence your total co-operation in this transaction is very important.

This amount (US$35 Million) represents the balance of the total contract
value executed on behalf of my department by a foreign contracting firm
based in the USA, which we the officials over-invoiced
deliberately.

Though the actual contract cost have been paid to the original contractor,
leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount, which we have in
principle gotten approval to remit by telegraphic transfer (T.T) to any
foreign bank account you will provide by filling in an application through
the Federal Ministry of Finance here in Nigeria for the transfer of rights
and privileges of the former contractor to you. I have the authority of my
partners involved to propose, that should you be willing to assist us in
this transaction, your share will be 30% of the total sum, 60% for us and
10% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses.

Most importantly, I want you to know that this project will require some of
our time and service but I assure that your stand in this matter will never
be overlooked and you will be generously rewarded for your participation.

The business itself is 100% safe on your part, as long as you handle it
with professional confidentiality. Also your area of specialization is not a
hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed
my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me. Endeavor to
contact me immediately through the above email
address:davidoboh@sify.com<address%3Adavidoboh@sify.com>
to signify whether you are interested to assist us,as we have already
concluded arrangement to finish this transaction within 10 working days on
your response.

If you are willing to work this out with us,kindly forward the following
information to me in your response.

1.Your Full Names.
2.Your full address.
3.Your telephone and fax number.
4.your age.

Your acceptance of this business proposal and timely response will be highly
appreciated.

Your Sincerely,
Mr.David Oboh.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam