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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:

Fraud email example:

From: CALOUS BRUNO <calousbruno@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2012 22:02:30 +0800
Subject: USA EMBASSY (OL)

Skye Bank Nigeria Plc.
ATM DEPARTMENT OF SKYE BANK PLC

Skye Bank Nigeria Plc.
ATM DEPARTMENT OF SKYE BANK PLC

Attention: Beneficiary


Following our mandate, note,we received an instruction from the office of
USA EMBASSY in Nigeria to pay you your unpaid fund of us$10.5M.

Please we apologize for the delay, however this is to officially confirm
the approval of your ATM CARD # 568 to be shipped directly to you via the
courier service company to your address.

Attach with this message is copy of the approval of your payment ATM CARD
from US BANK which is sent to us by United Nations and your ATM CARD is
ready for delivery to your address, please confirm if you have clearly
receive the attachment's sent for your perusal and follow the instruction
giving below to ensure the safety delivery. Be reminded that we are
working according to orders bestowed on us to implement the policy of this
payment and safety delivery of your ATM CARD to you being the beneficiary.

To commence the delivery of your ATM CARD, be instructed to choose from the
options below the medium through which you want to receive your ATM CARD
and this is according to our inquiry from the courier delivery company on
the requirement's and cost to handle the delivery of your ATM CARD which
the Tracking number's will be sent for you to view the status of the
delivery parcel online and email us as soon as you receive it.

To Courier your ATM SWIFT CARD parcel to you via any of this channels
listed below:

(24 hours Delivery)

Mailing....................... ..................$455.00
Insurance..................... .................$380.00
Vat (5%).......................... ............$41.75
TOTAL......................... ................$876.75

(48 Hours Delivery)

Mailing....................... ..................$380.00
Insurance..................... .................$240.25
Vat (5%).......................... .............$31.00
TOTAL......................... ..................$651.25

Make your choice and get back to me, as matter of urgency following the
mandate giving for us to accomplish this payment, do send the payment via
Western Union or Money gram as instructed below through the names of the
protocol officer and enable us conclude the delivery of your ATM CARD
Today. The payment information are as follows:


Email us the MTCN # or money gram reference # after payment.

Here is the Frequently Asked Questions;

Q: Do I need a bank account to use the card?
A: No - you do not need a Bank account to use the card because the card was
not raise through your own account unlike your local ATM CARD rather the
funds and the Card was raise through our foreign reserve account with US
BANK. All you need is a payment card and access to an ATM machine to
receive your money.

Q: What currency will I receive my money in?
A: You will receive your money in the currency that the ATM machine
provides, which is generally the currency of the country that the ATM
machine is located in. When you make your withdrawal, the amount you
withdraw will be converted into the ATM's currency at very competitive
exchange rates.

Q: Will the ATM card work in my country?
A: Yes - the ATM card will work in almost every country in the world. There
are more than a 945,000 ATM machines throughout the world that will accept
your card. Any ATM machine that displays the Visa logo or the MASTER logo
will accept the card.

Q: Can I use my card for credit card purchases?
A: YES - You can use it for ALL online purchases. Your Visa Electron Card
can also be used for point-of-sale transactions at select Visa merchant
terminals worldwide.

Q: Can I get a second card for my spouse, relative or friend?
A: Only one card can be issued per account, we are unable to issue a second
card for any account.

Q: What happens if I do not withdraw my money right away?
A: Nothing - you are not required to withdraw all or any of your money
immediately. You can let your money remain in your account indefinitely.
Your account balance will be securely held (in US Dollars) and you can view
transaction statement from the machine when you perform the operation.

Q: What if I decide later that I no longer want to receive payments through
the payment card?
A: No problem - just send an application with your preferred choice of
payment, but this will be after one month after you receive the ATM card.
You can keep your card so you can still access any remaining money in your
account or if you decide to use the Visa/Master Electron Card payment
option again in the future.

Q: Will my ATM Visa/master Electron Card expire?
A: For security reasons, your Visa Electron Card will automatically expire
on the date printed on the card. This date is 1 years from the time the
card is issued. Before your card expires, a new card will be sent to you
with a new expiration date.

Q: How do I access my balance online, change my card's PIN or view my
transaction history?
A: You will perform this operation manual on the ATM MACHINE that has a
master card facilities, this is when you must have receive your card and
slot, the machine will direct you properly on each operation you wish to
perform at any time.

Q: Whom do I contact if I have additional questions?
A: Please send an email OR CALL and we will be happy to assist you!

Q: How do I receive my raised ATM CARD
A: Your card will be delivered to your designated home address by any of
our accredited courier service following the choice you opted as stated
earlier in this email message.

NOTE: The minimum and maximum withdrawal is USD5,000 to USD 10,000 every
day, you are instructed not to exceed the limit or the Card will
De-Activate as programed to operate.

Your urgent compliance is requested to accomplish this project inline with
the policy of this payment for safety delivery to you and avoid any mistake
in the course to make payment to the wrong person.

Please do confirm to us if this your address is still correct to avoid any
mistake in delivery.


Your urgent reply is anticipated to follow the instruction and enable us
conclude and delivery of your ATM CARD Today as all arrangement have been
finalize awaiting your compliance towards this mail.

Yours Faithfully

Mr. Calous Bruno.
Exc. Manager
Skye Bank PLC.
TELEPHONE: 234-8080804988.




DEBIT/ ATM CARD ON THE ATM MACHINE
CC: SKYE BANK PLC
CC: US BANK
WORLD BANK.
UNITED NATION.

Anti-fraud resources: