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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.

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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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "princesscoroline20 Gazeta.pl" <princesscoroline20@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:12:34 +0200
Subject: YOUR URGENT ACTION NEEDED!!!


Dear Sir/Madam

Happy sunday?

Good day and Compliments, I am writing this letter in confidence believing
that this mail finds you in an excellent condition of health.I am Princess
Caroline Esien, the senior special assistant to the vice president of
Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and also the co-ordinator of the Atiku
Abubakar Media Campaign Organisation. my boss has mandated me to look for a
foreign partner that will assist him in safeguarding the sum of Twenty five
Million U.S Dollars (US$25,000,000.00), being part of the money earmarked
for his April 2007 presidential campaign/election which he lost out in the
election.

The funds was deposited secretly in security company here in Nigeria by me
on his behalf but unfortunately the money was not used before the
election.Now he intends to invest the money into Real Estate, Stocks and
some other profitable businesses in your country based on your advice. I
will disclose to you the other details when I receive your consent to assist
us then I will give you all the relating documents to this transaction.

You will be expected to keep 35% of the total amount as your own share for
your assistance.Note that this transaction is legitimate, risk free and
confidential and must not be disclosed to a third party. I will be grateful
if you could disclose your private telephone numbers in your reply for easy
communication.Please View this site for more information.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=77377

I will be grateful if you could disclose your private telephone numbers in
your reply for easy communication through my private email:(
princessjoycecoroline@live.fr) and i shall details you for further steps
without further delay as I would proceed to fix your name on the payment
schedule instantly within the next 5 working days.


Waiting for your response

Best Regards,
Princess Caroline Esien
The Senior Special Assistant,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Co-coordinator/ Media
Campaign Organisations

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam