419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million british pounds" (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)
- ",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.
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.
- +447031885940 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- martingraham2008@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: management board <martingraham2010@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:20:52 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-15?Q?CONGRATULATION_AS_OUR_LUCKY_AWARD2_WINNER:CONTACT_MR.M?=
=?iso-8859-15?Q?ARTIN_GRAHAM_+44_703_188_5940?=

*From: MICRO-SOFT/CO-ORPERATE TEAM SPONSORS<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>*

*LONDON/SOUTH <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">AFRICA</st1:place> 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP<o:p></o:p>*

* <o:p></o:p>*

*57 QUEEN <st1:City w:st="on">ELIZABETHS</st1:City> WALK, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">LONDON</st1:City>, <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">N16 5UG</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p>*

<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">*ENGLAND*</st1:place></st1:country-region>*.<o:p></o:p>*

*TEL/FAX: +44 703 188 5940<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*Congratulations your email has won £1,000,000.00 (One Million British Pounds Sterling) in Uk Lottery held Sat 26th April 2008 credited to file (KTU/9023118308/03).This is from a total cash prize of (£199,900,000) One Hundred & Ninety-Nine Million British Pounds Sterling, shared amongst the first One Hundred (100) lucky winners in this category world-wide (Batch No:uk13/26/DC36, Ref No:UkEAASL/931OYI/03, Serial No:97560Uk):Note, the total sum you won on your credit is £1,000,000.00 only.<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*To file for your claim, please contact our PAYMENT AGENT/DELIVERY AGENCY as soon as you read this message for urgent release of your fund , his contact information is as follows:- <o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*Name: MR.MARTIN GRAHAM<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*Email Add :( martingraham2008@yahoo.co.uk)<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*Tel: +44 7031854355<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*KINDLY PROVIDE BELOW THIS INFO FOR THE PROCESSING OF YOUR WINNING FUND!!!!<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*1. Your Full Name. <o:p></o:p>*

*2. Address: <o:p></o:p>*

*3. Marital Status: <o:p></o:p>*

*4. Age: <o:p></o:p>*

*5. Sex: <o:p></o:p>*

*6. Nationality/Country of Origin<o:p></o:p>*

*7. Amount Won <o:p></o:p>*

*8. Telephone Number: <o:p></o:p>*

*9. Fax Number:<o:p></o:p>*

*10. File No/Ref No/Batch No/serial No<o:p></o:p>*

*11. Your driver’s license or international passport sent by attachment. <o:p></o:p>*

*12. Your Occupation/Profession<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*Yours in Service,<o:p></o:p>*

*<o:p> </o:p>*

*MR.MARTIN GRAHAM<o:p></o:p>*

*AGENT.<o:p></o:p>*

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam