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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: "Robert S. Mueller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <muellerroberts99@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:19:02 -0400
Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI. WASHINGTON DC.
FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET
>From Head Department: Dr. Linda Williams and Robert S. Mueller III
 
 
 
Prior to the series of mails we have been receiving concerning outstanding payment from Nigeria which made me to call the authority for verification and dispatch of all package to the beneficiaries and yours happens to be there.
 
I have given an order to the Embassy shipping service head quarter of NIGERIA to proceed with the shipment of your package to your mailing address but was informed by the Embassy today in regard to your package, they made me understand that there is a charge fee levied on your package which is $177 only and once the charge fee is paid shipment will commence that same day.
 
You are thereby advised to adhere by sending the $177 to them; I will make sure shipment commences once the charge fee is received by them.
 
Note: MY ADVICE AND INSTRUCTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS TRANSACTION TO COME TO AN END IMMEDIATELY, YOU NEED TO COMPLY ACCORDINGLY TO MY DIRECTIVES AS ADHERENCE IS THE KEY FACTOR TO THIS.
 
Make sure you keep me updated once you receive your package and also let me know once you send the charge fee required so I can also make sure shipment commence that same day.
 
I WANT YOU TO USE THE INFORMATION BELOW TO SEND THE REQUIRED CHARGE FEE. I WILL FORWARD THE CONFIRMATION DETAILS TO HIM AND I WILL MAKE SURE SHIPMENT COMMENCE ONCE THEY RECEIVED THE CHARGE FEE.
 
BELOW IS THE PAYMENT INFORMATION OF:...........AKACHUKWU BEN
 
 
==================================================
 
SEND THE CHARGE FEE VIA MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION AND I ASSURE YOU SHIPMENT WILL COMMENCE.
 
RECEIVER NAME: AKACHUKWU BEN
ADDRESS: 4TH AVE.GLASS BUILDING FST.
CITY: LAGOS
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
ZIP CODE: 234
TEXT QUESTION:::::GOOD
ANSWER:: :::: FAITH
MTCN:.....
 
Once payment is made get back to me with the payment confirmation details required below so shipment can commence. and I will forward it for shipment to commence immediately.
 
SENDER NAME:??
CONFIRMATION MTCN NUMBER:??
SENDER ADDRESS :??
AMOUNT SENT:177$
TEXT QUESTION USED??
ANSWER USED:??
 
 
DR.LINDA F.B.I TRANSACTION DEPARTMENT
 
 
Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA
 
 
FBI Director
Robert S. Mueller, III
 
 
==============================
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information or otherwise be protected by law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original.

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