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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cashiers check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- mrsdawsonsusan58@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "U.S Treasury Department's" <unionwestern490@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsdawsonsusan58@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2016 10:16:04 +0100
Subject: U.S Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) U.S
Treasury Department's 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220

U.S Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) U.S Treasury Department's
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, DC 20220

Good day dear,

This email is to notify you about the release of your outstanding
payment which is truly $5.500.000.00 USD. The New York NY (USA)
scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes
Contract/Inheritance/ Gambling/ Lottery(Sponsored by Microsoft and
National Lottery) and other international loans. News had it that over
the past, numerous individual (s) who happen to be impostors (claiming
to be individuals, Banks and organizations) are claiming to release
numerous sums of funds via numerous ways.

With the help of the (OFAC) U.S Treasury Department's and with the FBI
we have noticed that people have being asked to pay outrageous amount
of money by these impostors for the transfer of their funds to them.
We want you to stop all communication that has to do with these
fraudsters who have been requesting unreasonable sums of money from
you to release your funds which they do not have access to.

We have received a mandate and instructions from the (OFAC) U.S
Treasury Department's to commence the immediate release of your funds
through one of the following payment options stated below depending on
your choice:

1. Payment via Automatic Teller Machine (ATM card): This is where you
will be sent an Automatic Teller Machine card with Pin also known as
ATM card (A Master Card would be issued). Upon receipt of your custom
ATM card you will be allowed to withdraw $5,000 per day by default
and you are given the option to transfer funds from your ATM card to
your bank account.

2. Certified Cashiers Check or Bank Draft: In this case you will be
sent a certified Bank draft or check signed in your favor which you
will deposit in any Bank for it to be cleared within 3 to 5 working
days at most depending on your bank.

3. Online Banking ( Bank To Bank Transfer) to enable you process this
operation, the fee is reduce to $50usd Dollars is Required for
opening for an online Banking
operation, that will enable you get access to your account Online.

You are advised to select one out of the three options on how you wish
to receive your $5.500.000.00 USD, Your Online Banking Access or ATM
card or Check/Bank Draft will be shipped via Courier Shipping Company
and would get to you within 2 working days at most.

For international shipping as stated by our company We had to sign
contract with Courier for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce

to $50 usd

nothing more and no hidden fee of any sort.

You are advised to contact the Department's Officer responsible for
the shipping of your Check or ATM card with the following information
for shipping of your payment Check or ATM card.

You are advised to provide the following information:
Your full Name.
Your Address:.
Occupation:.
Home/Cell Phone:.
Age..

Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what. Once
again note that the actual Courier Retail Price: $245usd Your Price
(Because of our contract signed): is now $50 usd

Below is the information where to send the $50 usd Via Money Gram
or Western Union

Receiver Name............Emmanuel Chikelue Nchekwube
Country ................ Benin Republic
City ............... Cotonou
Address......044 Segbeya Bp Cotonou-Benin Republic
Test Question ........... Who?
Test Answer ................... You
Amount ................... $50 usd Only
Sender Name............
Mtcn.................

Thanks,

E-Mail: mrsdawsonsusan58@gmail.com
Mrs. Dawson Susan (OFAC)
U.S Treasury Department's
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, DC 20220

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam