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:
- "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)
- "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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Sgt <hamrick@ajato.com.br>
Reply-To: sgt.brooksfitte@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 18:09:43 +0000
Subject: From: Sgt Brooks Fitte -----Serving in the military of the 1st
Armored Division in Libya

Attns:

With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to
contact you. I am from (will disclose this later), presently
working/serving in the military of the 1st Armored Division in Libya with
an international organization that I will also disclose later, I found
your contact particulars in an address journal.

I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of (US$8.523 Million
Dollars) Eight Million five Hundred Thousand And Twenty Three Dollars to
your country or any other safe country of your choice for a profitable
/liable investments purposes , as far as I can be assured that my share
will be safe in your care until I complete my service here,this is no
stolen money, and there are no dangers involved,no string attach ,and no
hitch .

SOURCE OF THE FUNDS: Some funds in various currencies was discovered
concealed in barrels with piles of weapons and ammunitions at a location
near one of the Gaddafi's old palaces during a rescue operation, and it
was agreed by all party present that the money be shared amongst us, this
was quite an illegal thing to do, but I tell you what? no compensation can
make up for the risks we have taken with our lives in this hell hole.We
are many ,but in a seperate deals .

The above figure was given to me as my share, and to conceal this kind of
money became a problem for me, so with the help of a German contact expert
working here, and her office attached diplomatic immunity, I was able to
get the package out to a safe location entirely out of trouble spot. He
does not know the real contents of the package, and believes that it
belongs to an Asian/American who died in an air raid.

My German Associate assisted me in using an African UN Diplomatic who has
individual packages to deliver outside here and he agreed to deliver the
consignment to our agreed safe locations for the investments .

One passionate appeal if you can assure me that you are not going to
discuss this matter with a third party, should you have reasons to reject
this offer,please destroy this mail as any leakage of this information
will be too bad for us.

I do not know for how long we will remain here, and I have survived 2
suicide bomb attacks by the special grace of God, this and other reasons I
will mention later has prompted me to reach out for help, I honestly want
this matter to be resolved immediately.

Can I trust you? When you receive this letter,kindly send me an e-mail
signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax
numbers for quick communication also your contact details.

This is risk free.

Respectfully.

Sgt. Brooks Fitte.
1st Armored Division in Libya

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam