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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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)
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.
- abiolaowen0@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Helen Hanson" <mrshelenhassan@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Helen Hanson" <helenhansonn@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2015 15:08:22 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I am Mrs.Helen Hanson Contact Abiola Owen Owen For Your
Compensation Fuunds Now

Â Hello,

I am Mrs.Helen Hanson, I am a US citizen ,62 years Old. I reside here inÂ New York. My residential address is as 267 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 UnitedÂ States, I am oneÂ of those that took part in the Compensation in Nigeria many years ago andÂ they refused to pay me, I had paid over $43,000 while in the United States of America, trying to get my payment all to no avail.

So I decided to travel down to Nigeria with all my compensation documents,Â And I was directed to meet Mr.Abiola Owen, who is the member of COMPENSATION AWARD COMMITTEE with the UNITED NATIONS, and I contacted him and heÂ explained everything to me. He said whoever is contacting us through emails are fake.

He took me to the paying bank for the claim of my Compensation payment amount of $1,500,000.00 Moreover, Mr.Abiola Owen, showed me theÂ full information of those that are yet to receive their payments and I saw your name as one of the beneficiaries, and your information and email address, that is whyÂ I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people, they are not with your fund, they are only making money out of you. I will advise you to contact Mr.Abiola Owen.

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION
Name : Mr.Abiola Owen
Email: abiolaowen0@gmail.com

You are hereby advised to contact Mr.Abiola Owen with the following information's below

1. Your Names in full
2. Your Occupation
3. Your Residential Address
4. Your Place and date of birth
5. Your Telephone and fax Number

You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting youÂ and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them,Â they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until youÂ have nothing.The only money I paid after I met Mr.Abiola Owen was just $320 for the paperÂ works, take note of that. Once again stop contacting those people, I willÂ advise you to contact Mr.Abiola Owen so that he can help you to transfer your Fund into your account, instead of dealing with those liars that will be turning you around asking for different kind of money to complete your transaction.

Thank You.

Mrs.Helen Hanson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam