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:
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "processing 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 united states 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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (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.
- +229918989 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)" <info.larrymusa01@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2014 15:04:04 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Here Is the Payment Information through Western Union Or Money Gram
Money//*//

Â
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
NATIONAL HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEX
SENATE HOUSE - UPPER CHAMBERS WUSE DISTRICT, COTONOU BENIN

Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB

I have to inform you again that we are not playing over this, I know my reason for the continuous sending of this notification to you, the fact is that you can't seem to trust any one again over this payment For what you have been in cantered in many months ago, but I want you to trust me, I cannot scam you for $55 it is for bank processing of your payment, the fees of $55 is clearly written to you before, I did not invent the bill to defraud you of $55 it is an official bank payment processing fee, and the good part of this is that you will never ever be disturbed again over any kind of payment.

Â This is final and theÂ forms from there becomes effective once we submit your payment application processing fee and pay the form fee of $55 I don't want you to loose this fund this time because you may never get another such good opportunity, the federal government is keen and very determined to pay your overdue debts, this is not a fluke, I would not want you to loose this fund out of ignorance, I will send you all the documents as soon as bank payment processing fee is paid, you have to trust me, you will get your fund, find a way to get $55 you will not loose it, instead it will bring your financial breakthrough, find the money and send it to our bursary.

The reason why am sending you this email because i want you to receive your USD200, 000.00 ( Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) immediately, we are trying to round up for this payment program.

Here Is the Payment Information through Money Gram money transfer, finally my advice to you is not to abandon this transaction because of the requirement of ($55) by money gram only.

Receives Name:- CHUKWUEMEKA JOHN NDUKWE
Receivers Address:- C/18 Draw Road
Country:-Benin
City/state:-Cotonou.
Question:- How long?
Answer:-Now
Amount:-$55
Senders Name:-
Mtcn(Money Control Number):-

Send all the details of the MTCN direct to this email. Attached to this email is my working identity card, print and keep it for your reference. Furthermore I am waiting for the payment details in your next urgent reply

Yours in service
Dr. Larry Musa
Tel/ +229-918989
My email id: info.larrymusa01@yandex.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam