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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "alhajiidris Gazeta.pl" <alhajiidris@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: alhajimido_idris1@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:05:18 -0700
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU AND YOUR BLESSED FAMILY.


GREETINGS TO YOU AND YOUR BLESSED FAMILY.

I wish To Invest In Real Estate Properties/Imports"

I am Alhaji Mido Idris, I am a former special Adviser on Petroleum matters
to the Immediate past president of Nigeria, Because of my strategic
Position in the former Government and also being a Close confidant of the
President,I was able to acquire personally the sum of $65,500,000.00 USD
(Sixty-five Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only)
presently lodged In Security Company here in Nigeria,inform of Gold Bars, I
did not want the management of the Security Company to know the content of
the consignments when it was lodged; therefore I registered the content of
the consignments as Gold Bars.

Now, the security company believes that what I deposited with them was Gold
Bars.I made this money largely through "CONSULTANCY FEE" And "Good Faith
Fees" paid by foreign Oil companies Prior to Allocation of Deep Water Oil
Blocs and other Lifting/prospecting Rights (Nigeria is the 6th largest
Producer/Exporter of Crude Petroleum in the World. As you are probably aware
Nigeria is prone to Military Coups and the resultant Political/Economic
Instability has fueled hyper Inflation, amongst other problems.

I have therefore resolved to invest my money abroad, preferable in Real
Estate Properties and Importation of Goods from your country for safety and
optimum returns on Investment.

However, straight transfer of this money into a bank abroad will present two
major problems one, the tax incidence will be too high, as much as 60% of
this money will go up in Taxes, Levies, Penalties etc. as a result of
Government deliberate restrictions on flight of capital Abroad. And also
been accused of money laundering and terrorism, The solution is to Courier
this money cash abroad in form of consignment, through Courier service
Company here in Nigeria in Conjunction with an embassy here in Nigeria, the
money will be packed in a "Diplomatic Bag/Carton" tagged Diplomatic luggage
that will be address to you.

This system is secret and the money is therefore Untraceable. It is system
used by most top Government officials to remove their fortunes to safety
abroad.

I have therefore concluded every arrangements with a Courier Company in
Nigeria to Courier this money abroad using the courtesy and safety of
Diplomatic Bag. All I now need is an honest partner who can receive the
money on my behalf and help me to invest as aforementioned.There is
absolutely no risk involved in this transaction as the money will be
delivered to you in United States Dollars Bills.

If you are interested in assisting me, please send to me by email
immediately your preferred contact address where this money will be
delivered to you, upon delivery, you are to lodge this money in a bank
account and contact me for necessary arrangements for the investment.

For your help and assistance in this deal, you will receive 20% of this
money in cash or Equity if you wish to join the proposed company.

I have notified the Security Company where I deposited the consignments
that contained the fund, that I am moving the consignment abroad and the
security company has since been waiting for my authority for the consignment
to leave my country and move to abroad.

So if you know that you will use this fund honestly as I have instructed,
then do urgently contact me back and the details will be given to you on how
you will be able to receive the fund in your country through a diplomat to
be contracted by the security company.

You should also forward to me your telephone and fax number for easy
communication between us and to fax you the documents concerning the
consignments.

Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Best regards
Alhaji Mido Idris

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam