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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "escrow account with no beneficiary" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "there are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "mribruduke963@live.hk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2348186680891

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. IBRU DUKE" <ibruduk1963@live.hk>
Reply-To: mribruduke963@live.hk
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:02:52 -0500
Subject: REQUEST YOUR CONFIDENTIAL COOPERATION FOR TRANSFER OF $25,000,000.00
USD

Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. Ibru Duke,Regional Manager with GUARANTY TRUST BANK Abuja
branch here in Nigeria.

As the regional manager is my duty to send in financial report to my head
office at the end of each year. In the course of 2010 business report, I
discovered that there is the sum of $25,000,000.00 USD currently in my
branch with no beneficiary stated, which means no claim to the fund.

I have placed this funds on what we call escrow account with no beneficiary.
As worker of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money. I ask
that both of us work together with trust to transfer the full funds out of
my Bank and finally to your personal account. Once the funds have been
transfered we shall then share it,50% for me, 50% for you.

There are practically no risks involved,it will be a Bank-to-Bank transfer
and all I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the full funds.
I will provide the backup documents with the help of my Lawyer who i will
pay to handle the entire documentations. It shall be done in accordance with
all Laws of International Banking and regulation,because i want us to enjoy
this money in peace when we conclude.

I know we have not met before,but I am very confident that we will establish
the necessary trust that we need to execute this project.

If you find this proposal suitable then I will need you to send me the
complete details of yours listed below.

Full Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Contact Address:
Personal Telephone Number:
Copy Of Any Form Of Your Identification:

As soon as I get the above from you,I will immediately send it to my
Lawyer to prepare the backup documents in your name as the beneficiary,
and the documents send to you with further instructions on your next step.
I hope you will understand why I need all the above from you.Please ensure
that you keep this deal confidential,do not discuss it with anybody,because
of the nature of this transaction and my work.I have a 19year career with my
Bank and I do not Intend to ruin all that.

Here is my direct email: mribruduke963@live.hk and phone:+234-8186680891

Await your urgent reply.

MR. IBRU DUKE.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam