419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (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.
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.

Fraud email example:

From: kelvin williams <kelvinwilliams000@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:01:13 +0000
Subject: i am given you every assurance and very guarantee that once payment
of the $110 is confirmed from you today .

Attn: Scratchmy Crotch

i am given you every assurance and very guarantee that once payment of the $110 is confirmed from you today that your card will surely get across to you within the 4hours hours from then ,But if the card does not get across to you then i will kindly returned BACK the fund you have invested on this transaction just take me for my word.

listen as soon as you perfect the payment the $110 via western union i will advice you to remain in your home dont leave your home stay indoor to recieve your atm card from the fedex official,so that you can ask him more question on how to use your atm card.

Once you perfect the payment of the $110 with this payment information find below via western union ,i am assuring you that your card will surely get across to you with out no futher delay today .

Here is the new payment information via western union.

Receivers Name: MORRIS LANE
Address: 36 west point road island
City: Lagos
State: Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Test Question: in God we trust
Answer: America
Amount: $110

Await your urgent response.i promise with everything i have this will surely be the last payment and there shall be no other payment after this thanks and God bless await the mtcn number.
regard

Kelvin Williams

Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:00:41 +0200
Subject: Re: your atm card
From: x
To: x

Its correct. Please send me an address so I can send the check!!

On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 7:16 AM, kelvin williams <kelvinwilliams000@hotmail.com> wrote:

Attn:Scratchmy Crotch

since you are unable to get the $110 across to me as regard the immediate release of your atm card then i think i will kindly send back your card to the headquarter incharge for security due to the amount of money that is contained in that card.

please reconfirm this address again for safety delivery of your atm card to youur door step today once payment is been confirm by my secretary morris lane.

Scratchmy Crotch
40 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5G 2J3
+1 416 808-2222

Thanks and God bless.
Regard
Kelvin Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam