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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348060098571 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "=?utf-8?q?Dr.Ray=20Idoko?=" <rayidoko_nnpc@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: ridoko_nnpcaccts@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 01:20:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:rayidoko_nnpc@yahoo.com.co



- MY DEAR FRIEND,I know that you will be very suprise to see my mail since we have not had any previous correspondence before now but do not worry your self hence a busniess proposal for a mutual business relationship.I am DR.RAY IDOKO, the new Director of Accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation {NNPC} and as the new head of the Account department of the oil industry in Nigeria,while investigating unpaid and delayed foreign contractors payments,I discovered that my predecessors who has left office on retirement inflated some contracts to the tune of $15 million dollars and the foreign company that executed the contracts has since been paid and left leaving the over-inflated amount of $15 million unpaid. Now,I am soliciting for your assistance to front for me to transfer this over-invoiced amount to your bank account for the use of both of us.For fronting for me,you will be given 40% of the total sum to be wired to your account and the transfer can be completed within 14 banking days from the day you supply me with your bank details where the said amount will be transferred to.Note that you are not required to visit Nigeria for this payment but the only thing we need from you is your company details and your bank details where the stated amount will be wired to for our own use ok.Thanks and note that I have covered every lop-hole and this transaction is 100% risk free.My regards as I expects your urgent positive response and note that your phone and fax and mobile phone numbers will be needed for easy and direct communications.You can also call me on 234-80-60098571 and ask me any question if you wish and my regards to your family.DR.RAY IDOKO,The New Accounts Director,NNPC.Lagos-Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam