419 scam: "Stanley Lawson"<laws2@tiscali.cz> ***: / *** / Shipping Details Required...... (Inbox)

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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:
- "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "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: "Stanley Lawson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawson1@tutopia.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:48:49 +0100
Subject: ***: / *** / Shipping Details Required...... (Inbox)

Attention recipient:

This is to officially make clear to you that we have confirmed your indenture / heritage file and found out that your inability to receive your payment is because you have not fulfilled the obligations given to you regarding your contract / inheritance payment.

Following the fact that it has been brought to our notice that you are still dealing with the illegitimate officials in the bank; consequently, you are advised to end such prohibited act if you wish to receive your payment because we have determined to bring a solution to your problem.

At this spot in time, we have approved your payment through our swift card payment center here in Africa, as that is the most recent instruction by the Management Board of the Apex Bank.

This card center will send you an interswitch powered Visa or Master ATM card which you will use to withdraw your money in any ATM machine in any part of the world, but the daily maximum withdrawal limit is only $2,000. Therefore, if you would like to be given your fund in this manner, gently present us with the following information below:

1. Your complete name:
2. Phone and fax number(s):
3. Accurate residential address for the ATM card delivery:
4. Your age and current vocation:

Note that the ATM card payment center has been given a go-ahead to issue out the sum of only ten million dollars through the prepaid Visa ATM Card that you are about to receive shortly.

Again, suspend every form of contact either via e-mail or phone with any other person(s) or office(s) promising to make you obtain one fund or the other. This is to avoid any shortcoming in finishing your payment.

Best wishes,

Mr. Stanley Lawson,
Finance & Accounts.
Apex Bank.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam