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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Mohammed Loan Frim <web.office7223@charter.net>
Reply-To: fastestloanfirm1@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 8 May 2015 02:40:48 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: WEARE FAMILY OF RAFIDAH FROM BRUNEI WE GOT OUR LOAN FROM MR
MOHAMMED

Attention,

Business and Personal loan of 4% interest Rate,If interested contact us
with short form below:We offer loan amount from $5,000Usd to a maximum
$10,000,000Usd. E-mail: Elite Global Service Inc For more info.

Amount Needed:
Duration Period:
Full Name:
Country of Residence:
Gender___Sex:
Cell Number:
Occupation:
Home Address:

In acknowledgment to these details,We will send you a well calculated
Terms and Conditions which will include the agreement.

Godsent Loan Frim Email Us Now With info's.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam