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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "charlesfrancis@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Donald Morgan <kt4@vsvsc.ga>
Reply-To: <charlesfrancis@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:36:03 +0100
Subject: =?utf-8?q?Contact_My_Secretary=2C_Mr=2ECharles_Francis_For_your_cashier?=
=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_check_Now!!!?=

My Good friend,

how are you together with your family? I am happy to inform you that I have finally succeeded in getting those funds transferred with the co-operation of a partner from South Korea who financed the transaction and provided all requirements through the help of the diplomat I earlier told you about. He initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully.

Meanwhile, I did not forgot your past efforts and willingness to assist me in transferring the funds despite the fact that it did not worked out as expected.
In appreciation of your sincere effort, courage and trustworthiness you showed during the course of the transaction I have decided to compensate and show my gratitude by offering you the sum of $2,700,000 (Two Million Seven hundred thousand United States dollars only). Kindly accept this amount as it is from my heart.

I have authorized my secretary Mr. Charles Francis Feeney to send you a certify cashierâ€™s check that I kept for you. All you need to do is provide him with the name you want on the check. Once he fill in the name, he will mail out the check to you.
Mr. Charles Francis Feeney
Email: charlesfrancis@yandex.com
Please do let me know immediately you receive the fund so we can share the joy together after all the stress we passed through. At the moment I am very busy here in South Korea because of the investment projects that Lee and I are having at hand. My account secretary is waiting to hear from you so write her immediately with your complete names, address and phone number

Warm regards from South Korea

Donald Morgan

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam