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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348176377582

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. John Oluwatosin" <johnoluwatosin001@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: johnoluwatosin001@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 06:30:01 -0500 (ECT)
Subject: Your Payment of US$2.9M Final Release Ultimatum from Mainstreet
Bank:

Your Payment of US$2.9M Final Release Ultimatum from Mainstreet Bank:

Dear Fund Beneficiary,

This is bring to your notice that our bank,Mainstreet Bank,Lagos - Nigeria
received a 72 hours Ultimatum from the World Bank and United Nation to
effect the release of your outstanding over due allocated compensation
payment of US$2.9M to you as one of the scam victims because your name was
shortlisted among the names of scam victims.

We have also been mandated,empowered and authorized by the World Bank and
United Nation handle the release of this outstanding over due allocated
compensation payment of US$2.9M to all the victims of Lottery
scam,Inheritance funds scam,Dating scam,Bank Draft scam,ATM Card scam,Next
of Kin scam, Property Acquisition scam and every other pending
transactions originated from Africa,Europe,Asia and America that have been
completed.

Among the names of the 3,580.00 scam victims submitted to our bank by the
World Bank and United Nation,we have been able to release 1,890.00
beneficiaries funds to them through bank transfer,ATM CARD and E-Banking
systems.

Therefore,you are the next on line to receive your outstanding over due
allocated compensation payment of US$2.9M from us as allocated to you by
the World Bank and United Nation.

To enable us proceed at once without any further delay on the release this
outstanding over due allocated compensation payment of US$2.9M to you,upon
receipt of this mail,you are therefore as a matter of urgency required to
get back to us by reconfirm to us with your full names, full contact
details,a scanned copy of your identification,your direct mobile telephone
number and your occupation.

As soon as we confirm the receipt of your response along with the above
required details of yours,then we shall without any further delay proceed
at once on the processing of the release of outstanding over due allocated
compensation payment of US$2.9M to you as the bonafide beneficiary.

Call me directly on my phone number +234 817 637 7582 for details and
clarifications regarding the successful accomplishment of the release of
this fund to you.

Thanks for your understanding and your quick response will be highly
appreciated.

Regards,

Mr. John Oluwatosin
Director of Foreign Operation
Mainstreet Bank Plc,
Lagos - Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam