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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- +22999456773 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ECO BANK <Eco.@theia.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: ECO BANK <ecobk.dr.rickjoseph@citromail.hu>
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2015 22:46:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: RE: REMINDER ECO BANK IS READY TO COMPENSATE YOU SCAM VICTIM REPLY
BACK!

ECO BANK COMPENSATION PAYMENT CENTER
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District, Cotonuo.
TEL: +229 99 456 773

Greeting Dear,

This is in respect to your Compensation for scam victim which was approved to you by Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) in the amount of $800,00a0.00 USD ( Eight hundred Thousand US Dollars), this compensation was issued to about 50 people from different part of the world that was a victim of scam by ECOWAS citizens which includes Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Senegal and Benin Republic. etc and you are one of them.

However, I'm handling the payment of the scam victims which you are one of them and I'm contacting you to make the payment arrangement with you so that I will know how to get your fund to you, Your fund payment will be done via our three payment option which you must choose one to enable you receive your compensation payment.

1. The first option is payment Via ATM Master Card which will be send to you via courier delivery company and you will be withdrawing $5,000.00 daily from the Card till you complete your payment

2. And the Second option of payment is Bank to Bank wire /online transfer .

3. The third option is payment Via consignment trunk box so I want you to let me know how you wish to receive your fund so that we will proceed with the transfer immediately.

Please I need your urgent compliance to this request because some of the people I'm handling their payment has received theirs through ATM CARD and they have started withdrawing their fund from the ATM CARD so let me know how you wish to receive yours so that I will proceed with the payment immediately.

I will be waiting for your update as soon as you read this e-mail and furnish us with the following details to satisfy you for the re compensation.

*Full Name:...
*Address:.....
*Sex:.........
*Telephone:...
*Country:....
*occupation:........
*Email Address:.....
*Email Password....
*Bank Full Names:
*Cvv No#:.....
*Your Card Expiry date:
*Your Card Number:
*Your Card Holder$B!G(Bs Names:

Call Me @: +229 99 456 773 immediately to check if the delivery date suits you.
Looking forward to serve you better.

This is my Telephone No# call me let us discus regarding this delivery
Text Or Call Me @ +229 99 456 773

Yours in Service,

Mr Rick Joseph
DIRECTOR OF ECO BANK BENIN REP,
Compensation Payment office.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam