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:
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- ",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)
- "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)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
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.
- federalreservebankofnewyorkcity@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: LINDA SAWELL of International Monitoring Fund
<federalreservebankofnewyorkcity@accountant.com>
Reply-To: federalreservebankoftexasusa@accountant.com
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2015 16:07:54 +0100
Subject: REF: FUND RELEASE NOTIFICATION

--
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Office 67/68 Long Bale Garden

Ref: Fund Release Notification

Dare Friend,

Be informed that your fund that has been held by the International
Monetary
Fund (IMF) office here in AFRICA,Europe and USA are now being declared
free
from Money Laundry act and free for Anti-Terrorist act,after which we
confirmed
the authenticity of your fund with the IMF financial monitoring unit
office in
Africa,where your fund was originated as an Estate claims.

Furthermore be informed that your fund are going to be release for your
onward wire Transfer through the FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK CITY.
However be advise that after the deduction of Tax clearance charges by
the IRS office here,then your total sum of ($2,000,000.00 Million Usd)
are
now being left with the remaining Balance of $2,000,000.00 Million Usd,
to
be transferred to your designated account by the FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF
NEW YORK CITY.

Therefore,Do contact the RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK via information below.
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK CITY. Contact officer,Mr. Lee C.
Bollinger,
E-mail:federalreservebankofnewyorkcity@accountant.com Make sure you
contact the
RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK CITY with their e-mail stated above now without
any delay and for your own good.

Thanks

Linda Sawell

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam