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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
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.
- +2348186390772

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Ali Musa <dralimusa2009@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info_dralimusa_cbnn@yahoo.es
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:53:14 +0800
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY CASH DELIVERY
PAYMENT

Dr Ali Musa
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
FOREIGN PAYMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
Telephone:+234-8186390772

CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY CASH DELIVERY PAYMENT
ATTN:Sir/Madam,

I am Dr Ali Musa,The DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOREIGN PAYMENT Central
Bank Of Nigeria (CBN).I decided to contact you because of the
prevailing security report reaching my office and the intense nature
of polity in Nigeria.This is to inform you about our plan to send your
fund via cash delivery,this system will be easier for you and for us.
We are going to send your Inheritance part payment of US$15.1 Million
to you via diplomatic courier service.

Note: The money is coming in two (2) security proof boxes,The boxes
are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine.

I will use my position as the DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOREIGN PAYMENT
of Central Bank Of Nigeria to release this fund to you ON THE PREMISE
THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED,APPROVED AND RELEASED FUND TO OFFSET
ALL OVER DUE FOREIGN PAYMENT NOW THAT A NEW GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN
USHERED IN.
The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the
boxes to your house address.

All you need to do now is to send to me the following:

1.Your complete name
2.Your full house address
3.Your identity either international passport or drivers license
4.Your contact phone numbers
5.Your occupation
6.Your Age

The Diplomatic attached will travel with this required information for
the delivery of your fund.He will call you immediately on arrival in
your country's airport.
I will let you know when these consignments will be lifted and
Note:The diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes.
What is declared to them as the content of the boxes is Sensitive
Photographic Film Material.We don't let the diplomats know the true
content to avoid disappearance and or extortion of the intended owner
before delivery.
In line with the arrangement I will secure the Diplomatic immunity
clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it
stand as a diplomatic consignment, which i will dispatch along with
the security inner Keys of the consignments to enable you access these
consignments as soon as it is delivered to you.This clearance will
make it pass every custom
checkpoint all over the world without hitch.

Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me
immediately you receive this message.
Please I need your urgent reply because the boxes are scheduled to
airlift as soon as we hear from you. Call me immediately you receive
this message.

Best Regards,
Dr Ali Musa
Central Bank Of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam