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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: INTERNATIONAL MONITORY AUTHORITY <euji0385156@uji.es>
Reply-To: info@internationalmonitoryauthority.tk
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:22:32 +0200
Subject: ARE YOU DEAD/ALIVE? DID YOU SIGN ANY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT IN FAVOUR
OF JOHN STEVEN

INTERNATIONAL MONITORY
AUTHORITY
167 ST JAMES PARK WAY,
LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM
PHONE/FAX:00(+)448715035542

The International Monitory Authority (IMA) in alliance with
(ECOWAS) and with the help of United States Government and the United
Nations we are working towards the eradication exercise of fraudsters
and Scam Artists around the Globe.

Today Investigation on payment files and reason for delay in your
approved fund. Did you sign any deed in favor of JOHN STEVEN thereby
making him the current beneficiary of your fund.

Please if you did not sign, or Authorize him to receive your payment
on your behalf, Kindly reconfirm to us with your information. For the
urgent release of your fund,as approved by UNITED NATIONS ON INTERNATIONAL AID

Do reply immediately you receive this mail for confirmation and to
receive your approved fund. OR you are advice to come down to our
office here for the sign release of your fund but if there is any
useful reason why you can not afford to come in person then you should
notify this office immediately.

Yours sincerely,

PROF.DAVID JOHNSON
Executive/Chairman(IMA}
00(+)448715035542

INTERNATIONAL MONITORY AUTHORITY(C)(2010)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam