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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Aro Bello (Union Bank of Nigeria Plc)" <fundmanager@unionbankngplconline.com>
Reply-To: arobello2628@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:18:08 +0000
Subject: RE




Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
From: The Desk Of
Mr. Aro Bello
Managing Director,

Re: inheritance fund of US$1.500, 000.00 interests into your account:

I am Mr. Aro Bello managing director, corporate services division and head
of swift transfer unit of union bank of Nigeria plc.

Sometime ago, in our bank your inheritance fund was brought to our bank
from Nigeria government and after some period, the money was taken back to
their treasury. But for the period of time this money was in our bank, it
generated an interest of US$1.500, 000.00 which we are about to pay you
via electronic banking transfer through our corresponding bank.

Mean while, a man came to my office few days ago with a letter, claiming
to be you're true representative.
Here are the man's information bellows:
Name Edward Marion
Bank name: Citibank
Bank address: Arizona, USA.
Account number: 6503809008.
Please, do reconfirm to this office, as a matter of urgency if this man is
from you, so that this office will not be held responsible for paying this
inheritance into the wrong account.

If this man is not your true rep, you are requested to fill and return
this information for verification purposes so that your inheritance claim
valued US$1.5m dollars only will be remitted into your nominated bank
account through electronic banking transfer.

Your Name..................
Your Address......................
Your Telephone #.................
Sex.................
Occupation......................

As a matter of fact we don't have enough time to waste since we have
wasted time in contacting you through phone, so try and comply with the
entire necessary requirement for the transaction.

Note I have attempted to call you but all effort failed and I had to send
you a mail on this email address, which I guessed belongs to you.

Expecting you're immediate response.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Aro Bello
Managing Director

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam