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:
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
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: "Dr. David Johnson" <"www."@world.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: 0023323@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 15:41:47 +0900 (JST)
Subject: We have sent to you several mail regarding your fund $7.500,000.00
Dollars

ATTENTION PLEASE

This is to bring to your own notification that we are here to inform you that after when our paying agent had sent your first payment of $5000 we realized that your fund does not have Claims of Affidavit Certificate which must be obtain from Benin Federal High Court, so Benin Authorities stopped us for transferring of your fund due to your fund does not have Claims of Affidavit Certificate.

Then we sent a staff to the Federal High Court that will issue the Certificate to you and when he returned he told us that to issue the Certificate to you that it will cost you only $58.00 and the money should be send immediately before (F.H.C) can issue you the certificate (Affidavit Certificate).

So now that you have given us your real name and your country name it remain $58.00 to obtain your fund Affidavit Certificate and assured you that immediately they confirm the $58.00 today you will pick up your money immediately.

NOTE: NO DEDUCT OF MONEY FROM YOUR FUND, YOU MUST RECEIVE YOUR FULL AMOUNT COMPLETE.

We guarantee that once you send $58 today we shall get the certificate and by 9am tomorrow morning your local time, we will transfer your money and you receive in your Country.

We will resend your money with your full name and direct to your country and city today but before you can pick it up you must complete the fee of $58.00 being Affidavit issuing charges before you can pick up your $5000 today so i advise you to go and send the $58.00 now so that you can be able to pick up your money today to enable us continue sending your $5000.00 daily.

So, if you are ready to make the payment of $58 for issuing of your funds Affidavit Certificate do ask me for the payment information such as receiver name and other details, bear in mind that your total fund is $7.500,000.00 Dollars.

But do not allow any body to deceive you, and I expect your response together with payment of $58.00 today, take me by my word, and make sure you conclude these or your fund will be terminated by the High Authority and that is all I can say for now.

As soon as we confirm the payment of $58.00 today we shall send your pick up information the same day you send the $58.00, remember to send the $50.00 through Western Union or Money Gram all are allowed.

BEST REGARDS,
Dr. David Johnson
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
Please read the following email and contact us now

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam