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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:
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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i am using this medium to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348061648135 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Felix Ude" <felix1978@mobimail.mn>
Reply-To: felix.ude@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 19:21:35 +0100
Subject: Central Bank of Nigeria,


Central Bank of Nigeria,
Corporate Head Quarters,
Tinubu Square, Lagos -Nigeria.
LINE:+234-8061648135

Beneficiary,

>From the record of outstanding contractors/beneficiaries due for payment
with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your name and company was discovered
as next on the list of outstanding beneficiaries who have not yet received
their long -due funds.

I am using this medium to have you notified that your overdue payment is
being processed and will be release to you as soon as you respond to this
notification letter. Also note that from the record in your payment files,
your overdue outstanding balance is US$12,500,000.00 only, with the payment
reference (#.) of NLAG/FGN/FMF/CBN/B2517/99.

As a matter of urgency, you are advised to sincerely re -confirm to me if
this is inline with what you already have in your records and you should
also re-confirm to me the followings as they are listed below:

1.) Beneficiary Name & Address.
2.) Beneficiary Phone (Home/Mobile) & Fax Numbers For Merit Reach.
3.) Beneficiary Bank Name & Address Where Payment Should Be Emitted.
4.) Computers Scan Copy of Int?l Passport or Driver?s License For Simply
Identification.

As soon as these information are received, your overdue funds will be
telegraphically wired into your nominated bank account and a copy of your
Payment Transfer Slip would be issued to you for confirmation of telex
transmission. As a result of the on going drive, I will advice you to get
back to this office with every necessary requirement to enable our Telex
Department program the telegraphic wire transfer of your overdue payment.

Thank you,

Mr. Felix Ude
Audit/Account Reconcilliation
Central Bank of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam