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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- jimoviamd1@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION FOR SCAMMED VICTIMS" <drbankimoon12@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: drbankimoon1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:47:52 +0200
Subject: ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED
NATIONS.

ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.

Send a copy of your response to official email:jimoviamd1@gmail.com

ATTN:Sir/Madam,

The above named bank, in conjunction with United Nations officials and
United States government officials have been in a crucial meeting that has
lasted more than five (5) months and which just ended few days ago.This
email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the
world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of
US$ 250,000.00 Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars). This
includes every foreign contractors/Inheritance that may have not received
their fund, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or
international businesses that failed due to government problems etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this
has been agreed upon and has been signed. You are advised to contact Mr.
Jim Ovia of Zenith BANK PLC, as they are our representative in Nigeria,
contact him immediately for your cheque,International Bank Draft or ATM
CARD of USD$ 250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States
Dollars) This fund is in a Bank Draft/ ATM card for security purpose. He
will direct you on how to get it and clear it in any bank of your choice
around you. Below is the information of the contact person; Person to
Contact jimoviamd1@gmail.com

Regards,

Dr. Ban Ki Moon
Secretary General (UNITED NATIONS).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam