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:

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:
- "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. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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.
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.
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.
- +2348069350076 (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.
- lamidosanusi310@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "From Executive Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!" <lamidosanusi310@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 10:09:33 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Executive Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Head Quarter: Central Bank Building FCT Abuja
Email: lamidosanusi310@gmail.com
Phone: +234-80-69350076
Telex Cable +CBN-765-2010-NG

This is to inform you that the New President Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dr.Goodluck Jonathan who fully resumed office three day ago as President
Commander In Chief of Army Force (FGN) Has added your name among 47
beneficiaries to receive part payment of $7.5Million (Seven million five
hundred thousand dollar) this week through Federal Reserve Bank of America
New York, this is based on the promise he made in American to the world
president Barrack Obama last two weeks, when he promised to restore the
bad image on Nigeria which has been tarnish in the past by past corrupt
government officials and past head of states in this part of the world.

According to his statement on Monday first day in office as president
commander in chief, he orders the Central Bank of Nigeria to make sure the
47 Beneficiaries which your name was number 41 receive the approved part
payment of $7.5million (Seven million five hundred thousand dollar) within
72 hours from Federal Government of Nigeria Reserve oil account with
Federal Reserve Bank of America (New York) We has sent payment telex
signal to Federal Reserve bank of America (New York) along with the names
of the 47 Beneficiaries. Federal Reserve bank of America will contact you
for the remittance of the $7.5million (Seven million five hundred thousand
dollar) part payment immediately you forward the payment slip confirmation
we will send to you, the only money you are sending to CBN is the pin
code/Notarization charges amount $485 (Four hundred and eighty five united
state dollar only) according to the order from the president. Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan made the upfront fee very little so that all concerned
beneficiaries can afford the mandatory fee; this is the only required
upfront fee. If you are skeptical or maybe thinking that this is another
means to extort money from you or maybe another scam. Feel free to visit
our embassy in your country to confirm the payment order and the mandatory
fee so that you don’t loose this great opportunity due to your past ugly
experience in the past. Due to the urgency proceed to any Western Union
outlet or Money Gram outlet near you to send the mandatory fee, amount
$485 immediately so that we can forward your payment slip confirmation to
you to enable Federal Reserve Bank of America release the part payment to
you immediately.

Below is our receiver’s name: JAMES UCHE NWAOGU

Address: ABUJA NIGERIA

Test question: GREEN

Test answer: WHITE

Amount: $485

Immediately you make the payment furnish us with the sender name, MCTN and
city so that we can furnish you with your payment slip to enable you
receive your part payment from Federal Reserve Bank of America
immediately.

We wait your urgent reply with the MCTN, senders name and city.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr Sanusi Lamido
(C.B.N Governor)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam