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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
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.
- haniya12345aziz@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Abdul Haniya <aziz1960haniya1@zoznam.sk>
Reply-To: <haniya12345aziz@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2014 14:32:32 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?FROM.MRS.H?= =?windows-1256?Q?ANIYA_AZIZ?=
=?windows-1256?Q?=FE?=

Dear ,

I am Mrs.Haniya Aziz working as personal assistance
to the director or work in ministry of labour LIBYA. Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi
totally brought destruction / pains and political instability to our great
country and everything is practically difficult now. Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi
who has been ruling our country for the past 42 years. He has refused to step
down and this has lead the protectors seeking his resignation just like it
happened in Egypt. As you can see the Nature of my Country Libya,

I
honestly with Sincerity pleading and seeking your kind Assistance and Guideline
to claim and transfer the sum of US$12,300,000.00 deposited in a Financial Firm
as I am held by the Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi loyalist and threatening to be
killed. I am seeking for your help because I want to transfer my Fund into your
care/position in your Country for investment or Partnership investment with you
as the date to claim the fund is due. Since we are not permitted to travel out
now with other Ex-government officials. I seek for your help.

So if you
are interested to help and assist me, then I will not hesitate to present you to
the Bank Of Africa where I deposited the fund for the Claim and Re-transfer of
the fund to your provided account in your Country, for onward investment
partnership project with you. And I am honestly willing to offer you 30% from
the total sum or 30% from the investment pending on your choice for your
assistance.

I want to assure you that my partnership with you is 100%
risk free and without any hitch, also I want to clear you about this, The fund
is not from drug deal, it’s not from Arms deals, it’s not Government money and
its not for any terrorist or illegal activity, why I am emphasizing on the
confidentiality is because I don’t want you to be worried or troubled over above
issues.

All legal papers regarding the fund is available and will be
forwarded to you upon your assistance.
Hoping to hear from you soon. Please I
expect your prompt reply and let our communication be by email as it is the
safest means of communication for now .Reply to my alternative email:
haniya12345aziz@hotmail.com

Thank you and my regard to your
family
Yours sincerely,

Mrs.Haniya Aziz

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam