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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: NNPC TOWERS <farouk11bunu@gmail.com>
Reply-To: nnpctowersikoyi@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2016 10:31:18 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT : Contract Award Committee, Federal Ministry Petroleum
Resources, Nigeria.

NNPC Towers Ikoyi
Lagos - Nigeria

Good day,

I am the Chairman of the Contract Award Committee, Federal Ministry
Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. We are in search for an agent to assist
us in the transfer of (US$10,4M) TEN MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND
UNITED STATES DOLLARS. And subsequent investment in properties in
your country. You will be required to:

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 30% of the
total sum will be offered to you. Please, quickly get reply me if you
are willing to assist. Respectfully,

I will be sending you the contract award and completion documents as
soon as I hear from you. You are required to provide the information
below.

1) YOUR FULL NAME:
2) ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY.
3) PHONE, FAX AND MOBILE
4) BANK DETAIL
5) COMPANY NAME (IF ANY) POSITION AND ADDRESS
6) PROFESSION, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS
7) COPY OF YOUR INT'L PASSPORT/DRIVERS LICENSE

Yours Faithfully

Sir. Joseph Edward
Chairman Contract Award Committee {CCAC}

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam