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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "zenithbakplc.rashid@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Ernest" <wlwilliamslinda@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fng.ernest2@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 17:17:10 +0100
Subject: HELLO , DID YOU SEND MR.BOBBY J. ANTTILA . FROM USA TO COME AND CLAIM
YOUR FUND?

NEW DIRECTOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT,
ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC
CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE;
PLOT 84, AJOSE ADEOGUN STREET
VICTORIA ISLAND
LAGOS NIGERIA

Our Ref: ZBN/IRD/ZBX/10/014

THE BANK WANTS TO NOTIFY YOU THAT YOUR OVER DUE PRIZE WINNING FUNDS
HAS BEEN GAZETTE TO BE RELEASED, BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE FOR FOREIGN
OVERDUE FUND TRANSFER. MEANWHILE, A MAN CAME TO MY OFFICE FEW DAYS AGO
WITH A LETTER, CLAIMING TO BE YOUR TRUE REPRESENTATIVE.

WE WANT TO INFORMATION FOR YOU TO CONFIRM TO THIS OFFICE IF THIS MAN
IS TRULY FROM YOU OR NOT AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING INTO THE WRONG ACCOUNT.

NAME: MR.BOBBY J. ANTTILA .

A/C #: 4242300252,

BANK NAME: PCN

BANK OF AMERICA,

SWIFT CODE: PNCCUS33.

YOU ARE ADVICE TO RECONFIRM TO THIS OFFICE, AS A MATTER OF URGENCY IF
THIS MAN IS FROM YOU. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL AND SEND THIS
INFORMATION FOR VERIFICATIONS PURPOSES SO THAT YOU'RE FUND VALID
US$4.5M US DOLLARS WILL BE REMITTED INTO YOUR NOMINATED BANK
ACCOUNT.THIS FUND IS AS A RESULT OF INHERITANCE ON YOUR BEHALF.

INFORMATION NEEDED FROM YOU FOR VERIFICATION IS AS FOLLOW:

1. YOUR NAME:

2. YOUR FULL ADDRESS:

3. YOUR TELEPHONE/ FAX:

4. AGE

5. SEX:

6. YOUR OCCUPATION

HOWEVER, YOU CAN EQUALLY RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT BY CHOSEN FROM THE BELLOW OPTIONS;

1) INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT, send your mailing address

2 WIRE TRANSFER WHICH IS BANK TO BANK TRANSFER; send your banking information

3 ATM INTERNATIONAL CREDIT CARD, send your full address

AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THIS, WE WILL COMMENCE WITH ALL NECESSARY
PROCEDURE SIN OTHER TO REMIT THIS MONEY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT, THE OFFICE
OF THE PRESIDENCY, THE SENATE COMMITTEE FOR FOREIGN OVER DUE
INHERITANCE FUND HAVE APPROVED AND ACCREDITED THIS REPUTABLE BANK WITH
THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE/FOREIGN
OPERATIONS, TO HANDLE AND TRANSFER ALL FOREIGN INHERITANCE FUNDS THIS
THIRD QUARTER PAYMENT OF THE YEAR 2014.

WE SHALL PROCEED TO ISSUE ALL PAYMENTS DETAILS TO THE SAID MR.BOBBY,
IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU WITHIN THE NEXT SEVEN WORKING DAYS FROM
TODAY.

WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THE DELAY IN TRANSFERRING OF THIS
FUND MUST HAVE CAUSE YOU THOUGH IT WAS DUE TO OUR BUSY SCHEDULE IN
PAYING OTHER BENEFICIARIES WHOM THEIR FILES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED FOR
PAYMENT.CONTACT THE PAYING BANK IMMEDIATELY WITH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TO
ENABLE US PROCEED;

EMAIL: zenithbakplc.rashid@live.com
NAME: MR. RASHID MOHAMMED
DIRECTOR FOREIGN REMITTANCE
ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

BEST REGARDS,
ERNEST DESMOND

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam