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:
- "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. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info.remittancedepatm@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: "Foreign Remittance (Bank Of America)" <info.atmremittancedepartm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info.remittancedepatm@yandex.com
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 10:55:48 +0200
Subject: Your funds will be credited to your position we have contacted the
paying bank Foreign Remittance Bank Of America./::Please send the fee direct
to the solicitor by money gram only.

Kindly Attention, Attn .

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your mail and I want you to know that
we shall do all within our best to ensure that your fund is sent to you. As
a matter of fact, this organisation will not entertain any further dealings
to avoid duplication of effort on your payment process.

Be rest assured that your funds will be credited to your position we have
contacted the paying bank BANK OF AMERICA and they have placed your fund
in the macro system of the bank through its international remittance
department for final crediting to your position. So, we advice that you
re-confirm your payment details and detail us how you wish to reach your
fund as we shall not be held responsible for any misdirection of your
transfer. Below is the contact details of bank of america.

Foreign Remittance Bank Of America
4201 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008-1158
Telephone/Fax: +1 (206)-888-0309
+1 (206)-350-9586
Email: info.remittancedepatm@yandex.com

In other to avert any form of difficulties or problem with your
transaction, you need to register your case with $49 first so that the
entire approval document can be achieved then the fund will reach you.

Please send the fee direct to the solicitor by money gram only.

Senders name:.........
Receivers name: Ifeanyi Chukwu John
Country to send it : BENIN Republic.
CITY: COTONOU
Question: How Long?
Answer: 10mins.
Amount: $49
MTCN:......................

Once you send it do forward the MTCN . and also confirm the above
information to me and the bank of america , this I will follow up this
transfer as I promise you and the fund will reach you next 10mins.
Waiting to hear from you soon.

Thank you and best regard,
Dr. Eric Lee/Dr. Destiny Mike
International Payment Department

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam