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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2348140372206
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.
- zenithbankplc.visacardsection@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Zenith Bank Foreign Card Services <unitednations.onlinesafety2013@gmail.com>
Reply-To: zenithbankplc.visacardsection@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 18:06:18 +0100
Subject: ALERT: YOUR ATM CARD IS READY FOR COLLECTION..Kindly accept our
congratulations !!

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC
(Zenith-Visa-Debit-Card Section)
Plot 84, Ajose Adeogun Street,
Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria.

Attention: Debit Card user,

This is to advice that we received final notification from the World
Bank/IMF Special Representatives to complete your outstanding payment in
our bank.

Thus,your US-Dollars Non-Resident Account #: 64883020253320 Valued
$3,448,350 USD has been debited with $1,650 today by Master Card Issuance
Fee:VISA, Bal.US$3,446,700 CR.

This money generated from the interest accrued from your long overdue
contract/inheritance payment that was brought to our bank from Apex Bank
and after some period of time,the principle amount was recalled to the
Federal Government treasury,while your interest balance duly insured.

Please reconfirm your following details including your Valid ID for
necessary judicial endorsement of your payment as recommended by the Word
Bank/IMF global economic & financial stability.

For further inquiry,Important: Please reply to this email within one hour (
zenithbankplc.visacardsection@gmail.com) or call the following direct Line
for proper clarifications: +234-8140372206 if you would like to receive
your CARD within seventy-two hours of dispatch.

Thank you, kindly accept our congratulations!

Yours Truly,
Mr.Dan Asabi
Director, Card Services Section

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam