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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• 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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
  • "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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • chris_bernard1000@yahoo.co.jp (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Brig General Chris Bernard[Rtd)"<chris_bernard000@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <chris_bernard1000@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 01:20:11 +0100
Subject: RE: 30-06-09

Sir,

I am Brig General Chris Bernard [Rtd]the special Adviser to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria on financial/contract matters, am delighted
to inform you that the contract panel, which just concluded it?s seating in
Abuja just released your name amongst contractors to benefit from the
Diplomatic Immunity Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to
investigate manipulated contract claims contracts and over-invoiced
payment as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our dear
country.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is
still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while
auditing was going on. Your contract file was forwarded to my office by
the auditors as unclaimed fund, we wish to use this medium to inform you
that for the time being Federal Government of Nigeria have stopped
further payment through bank to bank transfer due to contractors numerous
petitions to United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and
diversion of contract funds to different account.

In this regards we are going to send your contract part payment of
10.5Million USD. to you via courier service and I have secured every
needed documents to cover the money. Note: The money is coming on 2
security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and
padded with machine. This fund was brought to us from America, It was me
and for our Local AFEM market.But since the money was not used, I will
use my position as the National Security Adviser to the President to send
this fund to you.

Please you don't have to worry for any thing, as the transaction is 100%
risk free. The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will
accompany the boxes to your house address. All you need to do now is to send
to me your full house address and your identity such as,international passport
or drivers license including your contact phone numbers, The Diplomatic
attach?s will travel with it. He will call you immediately he arrives
your country's airport. I hope you understand me.

Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes. What
l declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film
Material. I did not declare money to them please. If they call you and
ask you the contents please tell them the same thing. Please email
metoday.and i will let you know how far i have gone with the arrangement.
I will secure the Diplomatic immunity clearance certificate that will be tagged
on the boxes to make it stand as a diplomatic consignment.

This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the
world without hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the
requirements to me immediately you receive this message.

Please i need urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to live as soon
as we hear from you. or send me an email: chris_bernard1000@yahoo.co.jp

Best Regards,

Brig General Chris Bernard[Rtd)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam