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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "million united states 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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22996674320 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- johnaharis624@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev.Dr. John Harris" <kelveeni120@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnaharis624@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2017 21:46:52 +0300 (EAT)
Subject: HELLO DEAR FUNDS OWNER,
I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE NO MORE ALIVE.

HELLO DEAR FUNDS OWNER,I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE NO MORE ALIVE.

This is the second message to you, There is presently A counter claims on
your funds, This is the message forwarded to Our office today by two
gentle men, one of them is a Indonesia citizen and his name is Mr.Adek
Musa by name while the other person is Mrs. Linda Sanchez, by name from
United State of America citizen.

These gentle men’s claimed to be the representative of your family and
they came with letter of attorney, this power of attorney stated that you
are dead last Month by car accident that is why we did not hear from you
for long Now.

They stated that your FUND value of $2.5 million United States Dollars is
now under they fervor but the reason why they are come to us is only to
know how much needed so that they can pay it and also want to do change of
ownership to be full owner of your funds, but I did nothing rather than to
be Silent to them and Confirm from you first, because I don’t want to take
decision till i hear from you then I disagreed with them until i confirmed
from you, So You are given 24hrs to confirm the truth in this information
if you still alive or NOT.

Be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, as
we would not be held responsible of wrong Transfer.

We Shall Proceed To Issue All Payments Details to them If We Do Not Hear
From You Within The Next of 24hr that means what their said is truth, But
if what they said was lie please do get back to us and also be inform that
you are required to pay the sum of $47 charging fee for the stamping fee
so that any other person or any co-operation come down here to claim your
fund again will be in jail.

Here is the Cashier Direct information to make the payment Via western
union / Money Gram or Ria transfer.

Receiver's Data:

Receiver's Name::::::::::Peter Olo
Country::::::::::: Benin Republic.
City::::::::::::::: Cotonou
Test Question::::::::::::::Urgent
Test Answer::::::::::::TODAY
Amount::::::::: $47.00
Sender's Full Name:::
Mtcn no #:::::::::

I am looking forward to hear from you once you receive this email now
without ant Excuse because I hate anything promise and fail please if you
still need the sum of $5,000 payment each day OR you receive ATM MASTER
CARD of $2.5. Million,You are advise to send the $47 immediately and get
back to me with payment information.

I am waiting to hear from you once again with good news as you can see
that i am very happy now.

Thanks God bless .
Director Foreign Operation Money Transfer West Africa Depart.
DR. John Harris
Email. ( johnaharis624@gmail.com)
Tell:+229 9667 4320

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam