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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
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.
- b.hendricksj@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael L. Corbat" <1625698283@qq.com>
Reply-To: 3297399828@qq.com
Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2017 23:44:16 +0900
Subject: Kind Attention (YOUR NAME & CONTACT FOUND IN DECEASED ACCOUNT BEING
NEXT OF KIN)

Dear Sir/Relative,
Your name, address and your email was found in deceased file in Citibank
Representative Ghana, while we confirmed the Late Customer (ENGR. JACK
FARRAR POWELL) before he died made you next of kin to his account, which
stated upon demised, you shall inherit account balance, since deceased
has paid all taxes related to the release of this legacy to your favor.
The Citibank N.A Ghana has giving me five (5) working days to provide
deceased next of kin as mentioned for their payment, since I was
deceased account officer, otherwise Citibank will confiscate the
US$28.5M (Twenty Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) which
deceased left in your favour, as abandoned funds under instruction of
Ghanaian Parliament.
Although several official letters were sent to your address through
Citibank Headquarter, since no response from you, which the bank
instructed me to reach you privately on this same Email address, which
deceased indicated to reach his relative/next of kin.
I withheld Deceased information and details until your response to my
mail with information below, confirming you are the same
Relative/Business Partner, whose name and contacts appeared in deceased
account file for immediate payment.
1) Your Full Name.
2) Your Telephone, Mobile, Office & Home Number.
3) The Copy of Your ID Card (Passport or Driverâ€™s License) for
identification.
The Citibank has instructed Ministry of finance Ghana to release above
funds to you upon your response confirming the same name which deceased
mentioned in your International Passport/Driver License to avoid wrong
payment.
Like I said, details will be given to you, including deceased documents
which Citibank/Parliament of Ghana will request for your identification
to release above funds to you.
Kindly contact me through my alternative email (b.hendricksj@yahoo.com)
Regards,
Mr. Johannes Hendricks, (Retired Banker) I am South African Citizen, and
I was Account Officer to ENGR. POWELL for 9years before he died.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam