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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
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• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "affidavit of claim" (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. )
  • "million 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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "Rev. David Collins" <revddcollins4@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: revddcollins2@yahoo.cn
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 17:00:32 -0700
Subject: HOW ARE YOU TODAY.


From the Desk Of: Rev. David Collins
Treasury Department (CBN)
REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/08

ATTEN: DEAR BENEFICIARY.

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF FUNDS DEPOSITED IN YOUR NAME AND IT IS
NOT A SALES SOLICITATION.

I am Rev. David Collins, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The mentioned
bank is known for the safekeeping of special and valuable packages and
baggage in trust for reputable clients that are honest and trustworthy.

We work in collaboration with top firms and Governments of various
countries as we have earned a name as a service whose hallmarks in
reliability and confidentiality are revered. International missions and
Embassies of the world have used our services to satisfaction. A
benefactor whose identity can not be disclosed because of the Non
Circumvention and Non Disclosure Agreement that was signed with the said
benefactor when the funds were being deposited in the Central Bank of
Nigeria, made you the beneficiary of a package containing some amount of
money and stated clearly that you should only be contacted when the time
signed for it to be in our care elapses and the time has already elapsed
that is why you are being contacted.

The Non Circumvention and Non Disclosure Agreement signed with the
benefactor mandates us to fully divulge and disclose the benefactor's
identity 18 months after you, the beneficiary has received the funds. The
funds totals $10.000,000 (Ten Million Dollars) I shall reconfirm to you
are fully free of any liens, or encumbrances and are clean, clear and
non-criminal origin and are available in the form of CASH. You are hereby
advised to reconfirm Your Full Contact Information for verification with
information contained in our computer database as well as other relevant
information in the format stated below so that the funds would be arranged
by the deplomats who will be moving the funds from the Central Bank of
Nigeria to be brought to you. I would also inform you clearly here that
you must procure an affidavit of claim of ownership before the comensment
of the deplomat bringing the funds to you, this you will be informed as
soon as your information is received.

The Diplomats shall accompany you to your bank (if you want them to) to
deposit the funds in our name and submit all documentations of proof of
the origin of the funds in other to exonerate you from any form of
investigations or interrogation and to authenticate the fact that the
funds are clean and has no links whatsoever with either drugs or
terrorism.

The Requested Information is to ensure that no mistake or error is made
and it should be forwarded in the manner stated below:

Your Full Name: _______________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not P.O.BOX):
______________________________
Name of City of Residence:_______________________________
Country:__________________________
Direct Telephone Number:________________________
Mobile Number:____________Fax Number:___________
Occupation:________________________________

Finally your age and sex very impotant too please note this.The Contact
Numbers are very necessary because the number would be called before the
funds would be handed over to the Diplomats so as to ensure that the
package is handed over to the right person. So, it is mandatory you send
your Direct Telephone Number preferably your Mobile or Cell Phone Number.
Complete the above and send back to me through my E-mail address below as
soon as possible.

Congratulations in advance

YOURS SINCERELY,

REV. DAVID COLLINS,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam