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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Stanley Lawson" <nnpcstanlawson1@googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:18:16 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT AND CONFIDENCIAL


*VERY URGENT AND CONFIDENCIAL*

***Sir,*

*I am Mr. Stanley Lawson, the Chief Accountant of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) headquarters in **Lagos** , **Nigeria** . I
reliably got your contact from **Nigeria** Chamber of Commerce. I have no
reason to doubt your honesty and credibility hence I make this proposal to
you. Please, treat with utmost confidence and excuse me for the
embarrassment this letter might cause you as we have not met or known each
other before.*

*I have the mandate of my colleagues in office to solicit for your
assistance for a deal we want to execute, My Corporation (NNPC) awarded a
contract of US$86,700,000.00 (Eighty - Six Million, Seven Hundred Thousand
U.S Dollars) to a Foreign firms to supply Rig & Drilling Equipment for
Kaduna and Port Harcourt Refinery here in Nigeria but because of my
position, this contract was over invoiced to US$99,300,000.00 (Ninety Nine
Million, Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars). The original contract
sum has since been paid to the contractors that executed the project, now we
are left with the over- invoice sum of US$12,600,000.00 (Twelve Million, Six
Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars Only).*

*All arrangements have been concluded on how this money would be moved. Our
constraints lie on the fact that we required a foreign firm or individual
account number where the money will be paid into; whose owner will be
portrayed as a contract beneficiary of fund. Infact this is why I am writing
you this letter. *

*NOTE:- There is no risk involved as we have taken care, loopholes covered.
As a civil servant, we are aware that some financial assistance would be
required to conclude this job; we are prepared to give as much as 40% of the
total sum to whoever that is willing to assist, while 50% of the total sum
will go for me and my colleagues. To this effect, 10% would be earmarked to
cover all the expenses (Local and International).*

*This is because the process would pass through some Directors in the Ministry
of Finance and Central Bank of **Nigeria** (CBN). These officials might
require some tips to facilitate payment without delay since they are not
aware of the deal. Please, should you be willing to assist, we shall require
the following information to enable us put claim immediately. Your company's
name and address, your bank name and Address, Account Number, swift code,
telephone and Fax numbers of the Bank where the money will be transferred
into.*

*But should you not be in a position to assist, this deal has to remain a
secret till the end of time. It is important I mention that the officials
involved in this transaction are top Government Functionaries who have put
in years of service to this Country. For the maintenance of personal
integrity and prestige of all persons involved in this transaction, you are
implored to exhibit utmost secrecy throughout the duration of the
transaction. You are strongly advice to avoid discussing this transaction
with a third party as that could jeopardize the entire transaction. You may
open a separate bank account in any Country for this purpose if you wish.
All arrangements of this transfer for this half payment for the year, 2008
have been properly organized and further action awaits your immediate
response. Hurry and send to me the required information, so that we can
start to process for the approval of this payment. *

*Please, call me or you send an e-mail. PLEASE, INCLUDE YOUR DIRECT
TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY COMMUNICATION.*

*I look forward to hearing from you.*

*Best Regards*

*Mr. Stanley Lawson*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam