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:
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: From International Monetary Fund scam victim compensation <"www."@mountain.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: From International Monetary Fund scam victim compensation <I.M.F.OFFICE9990@usa.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2016 00:00:53 +0900 (JST)
Subject: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Headquarters: Washington, D.C.,
United States

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States

Attention Dear, Greetings from International Monetary Fund (IMF) and United
States Integration is hereby to inform you that an alert come to us today from
United Nation Official through the help of Federal Bureau of Investigation
{FBI} here in United States.

And according to the reporter, World Bank organization together with United
State Embassy Benin Republic; have approved to compensate 20 lucky beneficiaries as a scam victim, and your email address was found among the 10 lucky beneficiaries.

Meanwhile the fund will be release this week as soon as the beneficiary meets
Up/comply with the instruction/requirements such as your personal information and your receiving method because we have two option listed down , below is the information's we expecting from you today.

Your full name.............
You$B!G(Bre Country/state.........
Occupation/ID Card.........
Cell/Fax Phone numbers.....

Secondly the law stated that every beneficiary will take care of the expense base on your favorable means of receiving as listed here and it$B!G(Bs the law gilding the offer. Finally this compensate have a terminal date therefore any beneficiary who refuse or delayed to comply earlier, will definitely miss his/her fund and it$B!G(Bs just one week$B!G(Bs guarantee as directed.

Here are the two means of receiving the fund

(1) Bank To Bank Wire Transfer guarantee of two days It will cost You Just $185
(2) By ATM CARD means of courier delivery it will cost You Just $145

The entire beneficiary is expected to send the fee to United State Embassy benin Republic through Money Gram for Fund Release Permit.

Below is the United State Embassy Benin Republic Receiver.

Receiver Name: EMEKA OBIY
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Test Question: when
Answer: Now
Sender Name::::::::?
Country::::::::::::?
Mtcn::::::::::::?
Amount sent::::::::?

We are expecting your urgent respond together with your favorable option to enable us proceed immediately towards the transfer/delivery and guarantee the accomplishment in your favor thanks reply.

Yours in Service
Director of (IMF)
From International Monetary Fund scam victim compensation

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam