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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info.larrymusa01@yandex.com" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "(INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF))" <info.larrymusa01@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2013 10:16:46 +0100
Subject: First I advice that you copy out your Transaction /Send the fee via
Money Gram Only with the Below:

CABINET RESOLUTION 2012

Valued Attn

We have come to the bottom line of your funds transfer, the initial charges
for the transfer of your funds has been waved. We know you have been
hearing stories about how you can get your funds transfer to your position
account , but you have to understand that your fund transfer is still
available for you to pickup by today and tomorrow. However, following
existing procedures, you will pay only $55 US dollars for the certificate
of declaration of funds origin and permanent migrants, before we can
process the transfer to your position or it will result in the cancellation
of the transfer.

First I advice that you copy out your Transaction Codes:
1. New Payment Reference: 873344569
2. Allocation No: 24231
3. Password No: Beninbj369
4. Pin Code No: 434
5. Certificate of Merit Payment No: 429
6. Released Code No: 451
7. Immediate Telex Confirmation No: BEN4867
8. Secret Code No: Mauxxx3
9. Amount : $500.000.00 United States Dollars.

We advice you to indicate the options you will be willing to have your fund
made payable to you. Funds that remains unclaimed until the 09TH of July
2013 should be CONFISTICATED and returned back to the Government account
also note that you are require to pay for the certificate of declaration of
funds origin and permanent migrants transfers $55 US dollars. Send the fee
via Money Gram Only with the Below:

Receives Name:- OYENKACHI PETER JAMES
Receivers Address:- C/18 Draw Road
Country:-Benin Republic
City/state:-Cotonou.
Question:- How long?
Answer:-Now
Amount:-$55
Senders Name:-
Mtcn(Money Control Number):-

On sending the fee you are advice to forward the MTCN question and answer
to this email: info.larrymusa01@yandex.com and also reconfirm your
receiving details which the funds are to be credited. As soon as you send
the fee and indicate any of the options which you will like your fund to be
transferred to you, and we shall proceed with the remittance.

Waiting to hear from you soon.

Thanks you.
MR. Larry Musa
Payment Department Center.
Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam