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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the 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. )
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "John Douglas" <jdjdouglas227@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dr_john_douglas23@yahoo.com.mx
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:20:08 +0100
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary,


OCEANIC BANK NIGERIA PLC
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS-NIGERIA.

FROM THE DESK OF:
THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
OCEANIC BANK NIGERIA PLC.

DR. JOHN DOUGLAS

Attn: Beneficiary,

I am Dr. John Douglas, the Executive Governor, OCEANIC BANK NIGERIA (PLC),
am delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which just concluded
it's seating in Abuja just released your name amongst contractors to benefit
from the Diplomatic Immunity Payment. This Panel was
primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract claims contracts and
over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our
dear country.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is still
reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while auditing was
going on.

Your contract file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed
fund, we wish to use this medium to inform you that for the time being,
Federal Government of Nigeria have stopped further payment through bank to
bank transfer due to contractors numerous petitions to United Nations
against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of contract funds to
different account.

In this regards, we are going to send your contract part payment of
10Million USD to you via courier service.

Note: The money is coming on 2 security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed
with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. This fund was brought to
us from America, it was meant for our Local AFEM market. But since the money
was not used, I will use my position as the Executive
Governor,OCEANIC BANK NIGERIA PLC to send this fund to you.

The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to
your house address.

All you need to do now is to send to me your full house address and your
identity such as, international passport or driver'slicense including your
contact phone numbers; the Diplomatic attaches will travel with it.

He will call you immediately he arrives in your country's airport. I hope
you understand me.

Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes.

What l declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film
Material. I did not declare money to them please. If they call you and ask
you the contents please tell them the same thing Ok.

You are advised to reply me immediately and I will let you know how far I
have gone with the arrangements.

I will secure the Diplomatic Immunity Clearance Certificate that will be
tagged on the boxes to make it stand as diplomatic consignment.

This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world
without hitch.

Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me
immediately you receive this message.

Please I need urgent reply because the boxes are scheduled to leave as soon
as we hear from you.

Best Regards.

DR. JOHN DOUGLAS.

The Executive Governor
OCEANIC BANK NIGERIA PLC

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam