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:
- "clearance fee" (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 us 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)
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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. )
- "jameswilliam102@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: JAMES WILLIAM <jameswilliam78@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:50:44 +0100
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?THIS_IS_FR?= =?windows-1256?Q?OM_UNITED_?=
=?windows-1256?Q?NATIONS_OF?= =?windows-1256?Q?FICE=FE?=

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE Under-Secretary- General for Internal Oversight

From:C James Williams

To: Beneficiary

This is to inform you that I came to Nigeria yesterday from America,
after series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies
from Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica, South America and the United
States of America respectively, against the Federal Government of
Nigeria and the British Government for the rate of scam activities
going on in these two nations.

I have met with President Good luck Jonathan of Nigeria who claimed
that he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your fund in
your account.

Right now, as directed by our secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, We
are working in collaborations with the Nigerian Economic and Financial
Crime Commission (EFCC) and have decided to waive away all your
clearance fees/Charges and authorize the Government of Nigeria to
effect the payment of your compensation of an amount of Ten million
Five Hundred Thousand us dollars $10.5Million approved by both the
British government and the United Nations into your account without
any delay. The only fee you will pay in receiving of your fund is your
Notarization fee to the UN Agent in Nigeria.

choose Payment option (1) ATM Visa Card, (2)Bank to bank transfer (3)
Certified Bank Draft (4) by cash delivery to your doorstep. You are to
choose one of the options which will be convenience for you as stated
clearly above.

Full Name:
Address:
Tel. Number:
E-Mail Address:
Occupation:
Age:
A copy of your ID CARD: .......

Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that
some top Nigerian and British Government Officials are interested in
your fund and they are working in collaboration with Barrister Smith
One Nicholas Giles to frustrate you and thereafter divert your fund
into their personal account.

I have a very limited time to stay in Nigeria here so I would like you
to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on how
best to confirm your fund in your account within the next 72 hours and
Your response is expected within 7 working days of receiving this
notice.Sign by the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon Note: contact
me on my privet email.(jameswilliam102@outlook.com)
Sincerely yours,
Jame Williams
United Nations Under-Secretary-
General for Internal Oversight

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam