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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money transfer control number" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "tahouwellan@qatar.io" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "tahouwellan@qatar.io" (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.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +22999071322 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "SECURITY & FINACIAL" <tahouwallen@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: tahouwellan@qatar.io
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:42:32 -0300
Subject: SECURITY & FINACIAL CONTACT AGENT AND CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER,
DISPATCH UNIT.

FROM THE DESK OF REV.MARCEL UDENZE
CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER, DISPATCH UNIT.
CELL PHONE: +229-990 713-22
Email:tahouwellan@qatar.io

ATTENTION: BENINFICIARY,

I have been informed by the United Nation Compensation Board to anticipate
your message as this office has been assigned to handle the payment.
Congratulation, a cheque has been issued in your name and we have
concluded the processing of all documents that will facilitate the
clearance of the cheque in your Bank.

This documents includes the following:

1.COMPENSATION CHEQUE VALUED THE SUM OF US$2,500.000.00
2.COMPENSATION CERTIFICATE FROM THE COMPENSATION BOARD.

These documents have been securely sealed and packed for security reasons
which makes it impossible for anyone to view it until its been delivered
to you, To enable them acknowledge the correct writing of the bearers
name.

PACKAGE COLOUR:Brown
NET WEIGHT IS :75K GRAMS

DELIVERY DURATION: 24 Hours after date of payment.

Here is a breakdown of the charges to be met:-

COURIER/SHIPING CHARGES.....................................paid
CUSTOM DUTIES................................................paid
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES.......................................paid
INSURANCE FEE................................................paid
DELIVERY FEE.........................................................$ 195
usd
TOTAL.........................................................$ 195 usd.

I want to believe that you have been informed that you are mandated to
send the Valued sum of $195 usd only for delivery fee via Western union or
Money Gram Transfer method.

Below are the information with which you are to use in sending the $195
usd for delivery Fee Only.

RECEIVERS NAME : MARCEL UDENZE.

RECEIVERS ADDRESS : No 52 Masola Street Mowo Badagry Benin Republic

SENDER'S NAME:......................................................
SENDER'S ADDRESS:...................... ........................
AMOUNT SENT:.........................................................
TEXT QUESTION: GOOD?
TEXT ANSWER:....GOOD
MONEY TRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER ( M.T.C.N)...................

Your respond is needed immediately to enable me proceed with the delivery
of your BANK DRAFT so that you can cash the money in any of your Bank and
i await the payment information to enable proceed with the delivery.

Pleas view the SCAN COPY of my ID CARD and also a scan copy of your Bank
Draft, in other for you to know whom you are dealing with.

Upon receipt of the above,modalities to send your check will commence
immediately.We want you to note that your parcel will get to you in 24
HOURS after your transfer has being confirmed.

Take note that as soon as you have make the payment call me to give me to
give me the MTCN Numbers from the Western Union or Money Gram.

I wait to hearing from you.

REGARDS

FROM THE DESK OF REV.MARCEL UDENZE
SECURITY & FINACIAL CONTACT AGENT AND
CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER, DISPATCH UNIT.
CELL PHONE: +229-990 713-22
SITE: www.un.org/sg
Email:tahouwellan@qatar.io

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam