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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:
  • "transferred into your 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)
  • "million 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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: NATWEST BANK PLC <Info@natwestbank.com>
Reply-To: britmartin@britpost.com
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:40:58 +0100
Subject: REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT


FROM THE MANAGEMENT OF NATWEST BANK.
WESTMINSTER 57 VICTORIA STREET
GB - LONDON SW1H 0HP REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH TH=
E
SUM OF (US$22Million)

This is to notifying you about this said fund.

After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by the
Nigeria Government in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Centra=
l
Bank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum o=
f
TWENTY-TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$22Million) of your claim that
has been holding since is transferred into your bank Account from their
Domiciliary Account with this Bank.=20

We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going
through hard ways by passing a lot of difficult to see to the release of
your fund TWENTY-TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$22Million), which h=
as
been the handwork of some miscreant elements from that Country.

We advice that you stop further communication
with any correspondence from
anywhere concerning your funds, you don't have to pass through any
difficult to receive your fund, as you have meet up with the whole
requirements.

We know your representatives in Nigeria or anywhere will advice you to
still go ahead with them, which will be on your own risk.

Your TWENTY-TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$22Million) will reflect
in your designated Bank account within three Bank working days.=20

Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want
your fund. Finally, you are advice to re-confirm these to us, your full
name, your contact Address,Occupation,Age, Telephone for easy
communication.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Cole Martin.
Assistance Secretary,=20
Natwest Bank Benin=20
=20

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam