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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.
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.
- marydakota85@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Edward Kong" <austinejimofor12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: marydakota85@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:29:34 +0100
Subject: Can you honestly help me as you would do to your own
=?UTF-8?Q?relation=3F?=

FROM Miss Mary Dakota,
12 BP 1046 Gm Tukpa
Road Benin Republic Of Cotonou.

I am a deaf girl the only Daughter of my late parents Mr. and
Mrs.Dakota My father was a highly reputable business man(A COCOA DEALER)
who operated in the Economic capital of (West African Island) during his
days. I am a deaf girl. It is sad to say that he passed away
mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad year
12th.February 2011.Though his sudden death was linked or rather
suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with
him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was
just 13years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before
his death on February 12, 2011 he called the secretary who accompanied
him to hospital and told him that he has the sum of
US$28.5.000.000.(TWENTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED
STATES DOLLARS) left in a security company .He further told him that he
deposited the money with my name,.

I am a deaf girl just 30 years old and university undergraduate and
really don't know what to do, Now I want an account overseas where I can
transfer this funds and after the transaction I will come over and by
your help I could settle down and plan my future. This is because I have
suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis
here in west Africa. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to
my life.

I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards, I
wish to invest under your care please. Your suggestions and ideas will
be highly regarded But permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me as you would do to your own relation?
2. Can I completely trust you as a reliable person? .
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money has been transferred into your account?

FULL NAMES=============
AGE============================
RELIGION=============
SEX=====================
CONTACT=======================
OFFICE MOBILE============
FAX NUMBER=====================
COUNTRY ================
CITY=================
ADDRESS==================
OCCUPATION ===================
ANY COPY OF YOUR ID:================

Moreover, while I continue with my education I will like to invest my
money into lucrative business but I need you to put me through, Please,
Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible ,Immediately I
confirmed your willingness then I will tell you how we will go about the
transaction. Please contact me through my alternative email address:
(marydakota85@yahoo.com)

Yours sincerely,
Miss Mary Dakota

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam