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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. MICHEAL J. OVIA." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.micheal.org@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:36:29 -0700
Subject: SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON FINANCIAL MATTERS

PRESIDENCY OFFICE OF THE PAY MASTER
GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND
SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON FINANCIAL MATTERS
TINUBU SQUARE
MARINA LAGOS NIGERIA

Our Ref:CBN/IRD/CGX/NNPC/021/07

Dear: Beneficiary,

I am Rev.Michael J.Ovia the pay master general of the federation and
also special Adviser to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria
on contract and inheritance matters, I am delighted to inform you that
the contract panel,which just concluded its seating in Abuja just
released your name among the people to be compensated due to the fact
that we are not able to pay the whole fund been owed by this great
nation (NIGERIA) of ours, knowing fully well that if we decide to pay
all our debts that it would affect our country's economy.

This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract
and inheritance claims 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/inheritance profile is still reflecting in our central
computer as unpaid fund while auditing was going on. Your 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.

In this regards, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has
decided to compensate you with the sum of $10.5 Million USD. via
courier.You are hereby advised to indicate your choicely method via
which you want the money delivered to you from the list stated below:

1. PAYMENT ATM CARD DELIVERY:
2. PAYMENT VIA BANK TO BANK TRANSFER:

Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Residential address
4) Company name, Office position and Company address.
5) Profession, Age and marital status.
6) Working I'd / Int'l passport.

As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made
to you either by Bank to Bank Transfer or ATM CARD delivery,depending
on whichever and a copy of your fund approval will be given to you for
the confirmation of your payment.

I will call you on your direct number as soon as you receive and reply
to this message for a serious discussion with you.

Best Regards,
Rev.Michael J.Ovia.

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