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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "economic and financial crime commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
  • "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "money order " (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 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.
  • +2347089867085
• 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.
  • revdavidugwu020@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: FUND COMPENSATION OFFICE <usman8965895689sp@msn.com>
Reply-To: <revdavidugwu020@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:56:37 +0000
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF DR USMAN SHAMSUDEEN




FROM THE DESK OF DR USMAN
SHAMSUDEEN
HONORABLE MINISTER OF
FINANCE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA.


ATTENTION:

After a thorough investigation by the office of the ECONOMIC AND
FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION (EFCC) NIGERIA IN CONJUNCTION with THE FEDERAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION (FBI). Your name unfortunately was among the people that fall
prey to the antics of the dreaded Nigerian international Scam artist, thus known
as (419)

In the federal government of Nigerian bid to recreate and
reestablish its relationship with the western countries, the government has
decided to compensate all those affected by the activities of these fraudsters.
This resolution was reached at the meeting held by the Nigerian senate of the
house of assembly, house of representative, the presidency and the National debt
reconciliation department. The above authorities has resolved that all affected
people be compensated with the sum of US$600,000 00, six hundred thousand United
States dollars. An ATM CARD of US$600,000 00 have been programmed in your
favour.

We are aware that most of the affected persons must have spent
more than the above approved compensation fee, but we urge you to accept the
little token with faith, and please bear in mind that there is no money anywhere
to be transferred to you by those entire fraudulent Nigerian scam artist. You
are therefore advised to desist from any form of communication with any person
or group of persons in Nigeria or Oversea in
regards to over invoice contract from NNPC, NEPA, FMW, NEXT OF KIN, UNITED
NATIONS OFFICE ENGLAND, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN), INHERITANCE CHECK, MONEY
ORDER and so on.

You are advised to contact the secretary of the NATIONAL DEBT
RECONCILIATION DEPARTMENT in the name of REV. DAVID UGWU for the release of your
ATM CARD. You can reach him on Email as follows: revdavidugwu020@gmail.com Telephone:
+234-7089867085
.

Finally, on behalf of the federal Republic of Nigeria , we wish
to apologize for all you have gone through in the past.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Usman Shamsudeen
Honorable Minister of Finance
Federal Republic of Nigeria..

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam