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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- "your loan " (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: <m-loan11@loveservice803.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <deptcustomerservice121@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 02:19:24 +0530
Subject: Attn:# Apply For Loan @ 3% Interest Rate/Contact
deptcustomerservice121@outlook.com for more Info.

Dear Valid Applicant, Are you having financial distress or you want to fulf=
ill that dream of yours with funds? Do you need a loan to pay off your bill=
s, Start or expand your business?Are you having difficulties in obtaining a=
loan from hard Lenders or Banks because of their high loan fees/requiremen=
ts? Do you need a loan for any legitimate reason? Then worry no more as the=
" Metro Loan Investment Company" has come to offer loans to interested app=
licants both locally and overseas no matter the sex or location but age mus=
t be 18 years and above. Regarding your loan application,I want you to get =
back to me with the requested information for your loan application so as t=
o proceed with the loan processing. LOAN APPLICATION FORM Full Name*.......=
......................... Email*............................... Telephone N=
o*............................. Mobile No*.................................=
... Home Address*................................ City*....................=
....................... State/Province*................................. Co=
untry*................................ Fax Number*.........................=
......... Occupation*.............................. Monthly Income*........=
.................... Age*.................................. Do You Have An =
Account? *................................. Have You Applied Before? *.....=
........................... Loan Amount Needed *..................... Loan =
Duration *............................. Purpose of Loan *..................=
........... TODAY DATES:................... In the light of the above,you a=
re required to fill this form and send back to us,Be aware that your applic=
ation will be duly process and verified.Thereafter,we can start processing =
with the transaction further. Qualifications: 1)The Borrower must be at lis=
t 18yrs old. 2)Even with Bad credit, we still Guarantee the Borrower the Lo=
an. 3)The Loan Can Be Granted Even With low credit. 4) We Offer Loans from =
$5,000.00 to $50,000,000.00 USD/AUD/GBP/EURO/INDIA RUPEES. Interest Rate: T=
he Interest rate applicable to all Loans Is 3%. The loan repayment terms an=
d conditions will be forwarded to you as soon as your loan application is r=
eady. Thanks for your patronage, I look forward in hearing from you soonest=
. Most Sincerely, Mr. Jackson Bernard Dean. Financial Officer. Email : dept=
customerservice121@outlook.com Tel: +91-997-182-2314. Metro Loan Investment=
. Online Loan Application Form. GENERAL CONSULTANT

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam