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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- andrewwoley1citibankgroup@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: CHRISTINE LAGARDE <christinelagarde14@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <andrewwoley1citibankgroup@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 10:32:08 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?IMF_Fund_R?= =?windows-1256?Q?elease_(US?=
=?windows-1256?Q?$4.5MILLIO?= =?windows-1256?Q?N):=FE?=

From Desk of the Managing Director IMF
Ms. Christine Lagarde
Your Fund Release (US$4.5MILLION):
Attention Sir,
I am MS. CHRISTINE LAGARDE, the Managing Director International Monetary Fund (IMF) this is to bring to your notice that my office has taken over all the money transaction originated from African Region as Contract payment, ATM payment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning. Due to Unauthorized / incapability of financial Institutions/ Security Companies in Africa in releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, Terrorist and Money Laundering activities going on world wide.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group has Mandated the Citi Bank London to release funds to beneficiaries, hence your name appears as one of the fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully cleared recently from Anti-Terrorist and Money laundering, and your money will be released to you as soon as you respond to this message.
A possible arrangement has been made to ensure that you receive your fund through a telegraphic wire transfer directly into your account, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other financial institutions are aware of this and has given their approvals and signature of authorization. As regards to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the Director of International Remittance Citi Bank London Section, MR. ANDREW WOLLEY EMAIL: andrewwoley1citibankgroup@gmail.com
Most importantly be aware that US$4.5, 000,000.00 only was approved to you as a compensation payment and be also informed that the Fund Approvals and authorization documents have been handed over to MR. ANDREW WOLLEY
Contact him as soon as you receive this communication and forward the following:
1) Your Full names......................
2) Your address..........................
3) Your telephone number.......................
4) Your age and current occupation................
5) Your complete banking details...................
Thank you,
MS. CHRISTINE LAGARDE
Managing Director (IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam