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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • deliveryservice67@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: UNITED NATION <unitednation7@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mentcenter2008@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:07:52 +0000
Subject: REF: LETTER OF COMPENSATION/SETTLEMENT.




ICPC NIGERIA (Anti-Fraud Unit)
United Nations House
Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Zone,
Central Area District,
P.M.B. 2851, Garki,
Lagos, Nigeria
Phone: +234-807599909
Fax: +234-807599919


ATTN: Sir/Madam

REF: LETTER OF COMPENSATION/SETTLEMENT.

This letter will definitely be amazing to you because of its realistic value. Sorry for the inconveniences that was rendered to you in your line of Inheritance Payment transaction with some impersonators some while ago.

I know that this letter will hit you by surprise, but firstly I will like to introduce myself; I am (Hon. Anthony N.James) the Legal chairman of "UNN", (Nigeria's Anti-Fraud Unit).

On the 1st of October 2008, the President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (Chief UMARU YARA DUA) introduced a Commission named the "NAFN", (Nigeria's Anti-Fraud Unit) which is duly registered under the United Nations (U.N.O). This particular Commission was initiated to detect fraud/funds delay/impersonation of Government Officials. Secondly, we are mandated by the US Government to settle foreign debts/fraud victims/Un-paid beneficiaries to satisfactory in other to maintain peace in the world at large and also to create a good relationship with the international bodies.

Presently, we are being paid by the American government in order to avert beneficiary funds delays/fraud here in Nigeria. So far, we have settled the likes of (Mrs. Debbie Hargrove, Mr. Michael Wagner etc).

You are being contacted by this office today dated (24th September 2008) because your Case File (A) is the very first File on our Settlement Files Cabinet. From our intelligent investigations and Probing processes we discovered that you are a victim of fraud/funds delay.

The "UNN", is faithfully under my governance as the Legal Chairman of the great Commission and to this Authority we took an oath of allegiance to settle all fraud victims peacefully. your bank draft have approval and sigh by united nation,You are advised to contact Mr. Mike Weeks of FEDEX COURIER COMPANY, as he is our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque/International Bank Draft of USD$500,000.00. This fund is in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? So he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package toyou because of the expiring date. For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.The only money you will send to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($150.00US) Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far. Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $150.00US Dollars. I would have paid that but they said no because they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft with this information bellow;Contact Person: Mr. Mike WeeksEmail Address: deliveryservice67@hotmail.com
Telephone:+(234-1-776 4463
Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get to your address. Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $150.00 US Dollars for their immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive yourDraft.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft. Making The world a better place
Yours Faithfully,

Officially Signed,

Anthony N.James
Chairman united nation Nigeria.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam