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:
- "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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "atmcardmaster965@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- "atmcardmaster965@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
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.
- atmcardmaster965@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Federal Credit Union Nigeria Plc ATM Accounts Unit
<yaho_payoffic11@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 13:19:42 +0000
Subject: Congratulations!! Foreign Payments/ATM Accounts Unit

Foreign Payments/ATM Accounts Unit
Federal Credit Union Nigeria Plc
Head Office: Plot 157-178, Marina,
Lagos-Nigeria.

Email:atmcardmaster965@yahoo.com

Dear: Cardholder,

Re: Delivery of Your ATM (VISA) Card.
Be informed that after the investigations into some irregular payments by the bank, the government of federal republic of Nigeria in conjunction with the Apex Bank, has formalized arrangements to commence the payment of your outstanding payment of ($3.7Million Dollars) to you through this esteem bank.

By this new payment arrangement, you are to enjoy less or no costs as your payment has already been approved to be loaded into a Visa Debit (ATM) card which will be delivered to you at your preferred destination in your country. The ATM card will access your funds from any ATM in over 170 countries and can be used at POS globally.

So go ahead and furnish us with the following information below for accurate delivery without mistakes:
1.) Name in full:
2.) Valid Delivery Address:
3.) Your Telephone Contact

The receipt of the above-listed requirements by our Debit Card Unit assures safe delivery of your loaded ATM card to your destination within 48hrs.

Take note that as soon as the parcel is on transit your tracking number will be forward to you so that it will enable you to track your package over there and know when it will get to your address. Let me repeat again, try and reconfirm your delivery information as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and take note that your pin code of the card is 7091 do not expose it to anybody. And try to call me so that i will be rest assured that this message will get to safely.

Accept our congratulations.
Faithfully yours,
Mr.Ajeeh Gilbert
Payments Unit
Phone; + 234 -803441806
Email:atmcardmaster965@yahoo.com
CC: Office of the Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja
CC:Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
CC:Federal Credit Union/EFCC Security

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam