419 scam: "Mr. David Nwaorgu." <imfnigeriiaoffice@yahoo.com> Hello!!

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +2348033067447 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- fcicourier@yahoo.co.jp (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. David Nwaorgu." <imfnigeriiaoffice@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: fcicourier@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 14:26:36 +0300
Subject: Hello!!

Hello!!

I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Winnings Bank
Draft of $1,000,000.00 , but I did not hear from you since that time.
Then I went and parcel the Bank Draft and all the document that will
facilitate the clearing of the Bank Draft in your Bank know that the
Draft is been authorised and authenticated by the world bank, please
note that i have deposite the Parcel with FEDEX COURIER INTERNATIONAL,I
traveled out of the country for a Months Course.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER INTERNATIONAL as
soonas possible to know when they will deliver your package to you
because of the expiring date. For your information,I have paid for the
delivering Charges. I would have paid for the security keeping fee 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 INTERNATIONAL
with the below informations, as you are to contact them with your
personal details such,

Full Name, Telephone Number, Address
Dispatch Director: John Obi.
Email Address: fcicourier@yahoo.co.jp
Phone +234-80-33067447

You are advice 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
$250.00 for their immediate action.You should also let me know through
email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Send The Security Keeping fee of $250 through Money Gram Transfer or
western union nearest to you.

Receivers Name: John Obi
Address: 57 plot 1, Hopewell street
Country:---------(Nigeria)
City-------------Lagos
Amount: $250 USD
Text Question: Colour
Answer: Red

MTCN / Refference Number : ..................................

As soon as you send the fee, send us the transfer Mtcn/Refference # to
help us proceed

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. David Nwaorgu.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam