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:

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:
- "million dollars" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Victor Addo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <amalgamated@rocketmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:19:30 -0000
Subject: =?utf-8?B?U3BhbTogRnJvbSBBbWFsZ2FtYXRlZCBiYW5rIEdoYW5h?=
=?utf-8?B?IExpbWl0ZWQ=?=

Attention:

Good day to you and compliment of the season to you . I am Dr victor Addo acting manager and CEO of Amalgamated Bank Ghana Limited. I am contacting you concerning a transaction worth, $25 million dollars in an escrow bonded account with our bank ,Amalgamated Bank Ghana Limited which i am acting manager of the bank no body known?s anything about this account accept me.
The late Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Ghana ,wanted to transfer the funds to his Swiss account before his untimely death 2008. Non of his family members or friends of his known?s about this ,there are no record trace to it accept the once i have with me . That is why i need to present you as his foreign beneficiary through my attorney .So we can legally transfer this funds to your foreign account in your country.I know you have the credibility to handle this transaction, and i am ready to share with you 50/50 percent of the total amount.

Be assured 100% this transaction has nothing to do with scam ,because i will arranged for the cost of change of ownership my self, this is a genuine transaction. And we need to follow legal process to get it done. My Lawyer has made all modalities of a successful transaction, all I need is your co-operation to work with me. Just in case you have any doubt you go to this web site http://www.mofep.gov.gh/condolence_311008.htm and read a little about the late Minister Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu. I will send you documents about this transaction when you respond to my email and ready to work with me.

But any how I need you to send to me your full names and contact address along with a copy of any of your identifications eighter your International passport or Driver's license which you have to scan and attached to me .To enable my lawyer proceed with the change of ownership to your name as the new foreign beneficiary to the funds. I will be expecting to hear from you either through email .

Regards
Dr victor Addo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam