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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- +447024064959 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Foreign Payment Department Unit{U.K}" <martandrew2009@gmail.com>
Reply-To: foreign.dept@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:06:28 -0800
Subject: Vital Information You Needs To Know Call now +447024064959!Urgent
Response needed {Contractors}

Dear Sir/Ma,

We have this on the day of Oct 1,2012 received a payment credit
instruction from the United Kingdom Government to credit your account
with your full contract funds from the British reserve account with
our Office is handle,the contract payment which is the sum of
$10.5million,in which you are among the shortlisted payment in which
your payment is still unclaimed.

This is to notify you that you funds have been programmed for
immediate release into your nominated account but we can not transfer
this fund direct to your nominated bank account,because we are having
a little problem with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method
of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service.

Be informing that every arrangement regarding your cash payment
through diplomatic services has been made; note that your funds have
been package like a consignment.Be informing that the Diplomatic
Agency has to move down to your Country in order to deliver the
Consignment to your doorstep.

Note that as soon as the Diplomatic arrive to your Country they will
give you a call immediately to enable you help them to get (Yellow Tag
Paper).

You have to help the diplomats to get (yellow Tag Paper)so that the
customs and immigration will not stop them in Airport, for security
reason you are advice to follow the rules and regulation of the
diplomats for easy collection of the consignment,you have to welcome
the diplomatic agent,to enable them deliver the Consignment to you
immediately, be inform that as soon as the diplomatic obtain the above
name certificate they will deliver the Consignment to your door step.

To remind you that the diplomats has a transit to Asia Region and
finally to arrive at your Country as the last destination on their
diplomatic travel route this week,I want you to send your direct
mobile phone and your home address to me immediately, so that as soon
as the diplomatic arrive in State they will call you immediately to
notify you. Call me immediately,

Your Full Name: ______________________________

Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not P.O.BOX):
______________________________

Name of City of Residence:_______________________________

Country: ____________________________________

Direct Telephone Number:____________________________________

Mobile Number: ____________________________________

Occupation: ________________________________

I look forward to read from you soonest.

YOURS SINCERELY,

Mr.Perry Rice
Foreign Dept
+447024064959!

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam