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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- johnrallen61@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Diplomat John R. Allen" <unations970@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: johnrallen61@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:05:03 +0000
Subject: Delivery Notification Get back to me with a copy of passport and
full delivery details call me immediately.

Dear Mr/Mrs Beneficiary,

Complement of the season. I am Delivery Agent Diplomat John R.
Allen From United Nations Courier Services Accra Ghana. i have been at
your local Airport over Three working days with an assignment to
deliver 7 Consignment Trunk Boxes to various beneficiaries here. i
have finished all other assignment except your two trunk boxes of
consignment to be delivered to you as my last assignment before my
departure back to Accra Ghana.

So far, i have presented all the documentation files covering your
delivery to the Airport Authority for verification and approval, the
Customs, Homeland Security and the Airport Authority are well pleased
with my document so far and thereby granted me authorization FOR EXIT
from the Airport for your delivery without any further security
interference.

The following information is required by the airport Authority to
update your delivery file.

Full name:
Home delivery address:
Telephone number:
A copy of your international Passport:

Upon my receipt of the above requirement I shall proceed to your door
step without any further security interference and deliver your long
awaited overdue contract payment valued of US$10.3Million to you once
and for all. Please do put a call on me immediately for a brief
telephone discussion on mutual understanding.

Awaiting your urgent response at your earliest convenient. Note that
you are very lucky that your two consignment boxes recovered from
theses Nigerians fraudulent are released by the united nations
immediately i receive your full details and fully verified that you
are the real owner to the recovered boxes i will immediately send you
all documents in your name and my flight artillery for your
confirmation. Also note calls are very important at this moment. NOTE
ALL REPLY MUST BE SENT TO MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS
(johnrallen61@yahoo.com)

Your immediate compliance to this will expedite actions on your
Payment and settlement from the moment you reconfirm your info for
clearance and collection.

Best Regards,
Diplomat John R. Allen
Email: johnrallen61@yahoo.com
(Specialized Delivery Division)
Diplomatic/Delivery Officer,
Diplomatic roaming line :Tel: +233-505697953
Diplomatic Sms Number: +1(801) 613-8664

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of
the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain
information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from
Disclosure under applicable Law.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam