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:
- "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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- ups.1limited@citromail.hu (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Marline Ambrose" <mrs.marlineambrose1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ups.1limited@citromail.hu
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2016 02:32:27 +0700 (ICT)
Subject: Attn:Good day,
Contact UPS Now for the delivery of your deposited Consignment

Attn. Please

We have last month Of October, 2016 received a payment credit instruction
from the federal Government of Royal Kingdom of Benin Republic to credit
your account with your contract payment which is in the custody of our
reserve Bank account here in Benin Republic. This is to notify you that
your funds $3.7Million United State Dollars has been programmed for
immediate release into your nominated account but we can not transfer this
funds directly to your nominated bank account Because we are having a
little problem with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of
payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service Via United Parcel Security
Shipping Company.

Be inform that your funds have been package as consignment box and
deposited in the custody of UPS United Parcel Services head office here in
Benin Republic for immediate delivery to your Home address, The reason why
UPS is chosen for the delivery is that they are the best shipping company
in the world and our government has issued and signed all the necessary
document needed to make the delivery safe.

Note: That the UPS United Parcel Services do not know the content of your
box it is been registered as a box of Family Valuables Belonging to avoid
delaying in delivery of your consignment, The Government of Benin Republic
has already paid the official delivery cost and (yellow Tag Paper,
insurance) fee it was deducted from the interest your money accumulated in
the custody of our Reserve Bank here in Benin Republic before the total
sum of $3.7Million United State Dollars was packaged as a consignment and
sealed as metallic showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor
Terrorist attack in your Country.

(UNITED PARCEL SERVICES UPS COOPERATE)
Contact Person: Dr. Frank Nelson,
Tele:+22998752577 E-mail: ( ups.1limited@citromail.hu )

Here is the information needed to deliver your consignment box to you.

Your Full Name:=============
Your Complete Address : ==============
Name of Country /City of Residence:=================
Direct Home Telephone /Mobile Number:==============
copy of your id for identifications if any; ================

Now i want you to contact UPS DELIVERY SERVICE with your Full Contact
information's so that they can deliver your Consignment Box to your
designated address without any delay. Like i stated earlier, The cost and
(Yellow Tag Paper, insurance) has been paid and I deposited it yesterday
Call him as soon as you receive this mail. And Contact them on their
Contact Information's immediately and they will inform you when you will
receive your delivery.

Contact them Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know
once you receive your Consignment Box .

Yours Faithfully
Mrs. Marline Ambrose

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam