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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (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.
- +2348097265263 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- +2347014240496 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- dr.godwinemefiele.0011@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Godwin Emefiele" <godwine2015@outlook.com>
Reply-To: mr.g.emefiele0011@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 01:00:17 +0400
Subject: Are You Still On The Sick Bed, If No Please Kindly Reply Before Is
Too Late >>>>>

--
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
EAST LINTON BRANCH, 143, AHMADO
BELLO WAY, VICTORY ISLAND, ABUJA NIGERIA
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.

Dear Beneficiary:

I am Mr.Godwin Emefiele ,the new Central Bank of Nigeria Governor. Due
to the urgency of the meeting held today, there is presently a counter
claims on your inheritance funds (USD$10.5M) with our Bank by
Mrs.Barbara Kleihans who is presently trying to make us believe that you
are on the sick bed (PARTIAL STROKE) and even explained that you entered
into an agreement with her that she should claim your inheritance fund
as your NEXT OF KIN, So here comes the question;

Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favor of Mrs.Barbara Kleihans
There by making her the current beneficiary as your NEXT OF KIN. Please
if you did not sign or authorize Mrs.Barbara Kleihans to receive your
fund on your behalf, please kindly reply immediately to avoid
transferring your inheritance fund to a wrong person and kindly
reconfirm your details immediately.

(1) Full Name:....
(2) Address:......
(3) Telephone No/Mobile Phone:......
(4) Country: .....
(5) Age:............
(6) Occupation:....
(7) Identity Card (if you have any valid one)

I hope to hear from you in no distant time, Kindly call my direct line
or reply through my Private E-mail address to enable us process the fund
transfer to you.

Please kindly call ( +234 809 726 5263 ) or reply through my private
E-mail ( dr.godwinemefiele.0011@outlook.com ) to enable us process the
fund transfer to you.

Have a great day as I wait for your urgent response toward this mail.

Best Regards;

Mr.Godwin Emefiele
Governor Central Bank of Nigeria
PRIVATE EMAIL: dr.godwinemefiele.0011@gmail.com
DIRECT TEL: +234 701 424 0496

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam