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:

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. )
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.

Fraud email example:

From: rveisaacobi56 okafor <rveisaacobi566@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2017 08:39:04 +0100
Subject: ZIP CODE,85 OKOTA ROAD LAGOS NIGERIA QUESTION, IN GOD ANSWER, IN
TRUST +2348033343155

MY BROTHER GO NOW AND SEND THE 25USD YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT
IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND THE MONEY TAKE MY WORD I CAN NEVER LET YOU DOWN
ATTENTION
>> RECONFIRM YOUR BANK DETAILS AND THE NAME YOU WILL USE TO RECEIVE YOUR
>> PAYMENT BY WESTERN UNION AND MONEY GRAM SO TRY YOUR BEST AND SEND THE
>> $25 SO YOU CAN RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY
>>
>> SEND IT BY MONEY GRAM
>> ATTN
>> GO AND SEND YOUR BANK DETAILS AND THE NAME YOU WILL USE TO RECEIVE
>> YOUR $,3,500 BY WESTERN UNION AND MONEY GRAM AND SEND YOUR ID CARD SO
>> YOU CAN RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY
>> How are you doing today and how is your health,
>>
>> I am writing to let you know that the board directors of IMF met today
>> and
>> have resolved that your funds $1.5M compensation money must finally be
>>
>> your funds $1.5m will be release to you
>> via western union and money gram $,3,500 every day each with any receiver
>> names you are going to provide in your next e-mail with the mtcn for the
>> authentication fee and the rest of the funds will be wire into your
>> account while you receive some by western union and money gram $3,500
>> every
>> day.
>>
>> your funds $1.5m will be release to you
>> via western union and money gram $,3,500 every day each with any receiver
>> names you are going to provide in your next e-mail with the mtcn for the
>> $25 authentication fee and the rest of the funds will be wire into your
>> account while you receive some by western union and money gram $3,500
>> every
>> day.
>> GO NOW AND SEND THE $25USD SO YOU CAN RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT BY ATM CARD
>> YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT WITHIN 1HOUR
>>

>> INFORMATION .AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW .THANKS
>> GOD BLESS YOU .
>> >
>> > RECEIVERS NAME:ISAAC OKAFOR
>> > country Nigeria
>> > City:Lagos
>> > Test QUESTION;--WHO
>> > Answer:--GOD
>> > MCTN-----
>> > AMOUNT--$25
>> Thank you and remain bless as i await you prompt reply,
>> Dr. Gerald Manson
>> From IMF

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam