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:
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
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.
- +22999489498 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: " Mr. John Cooper" <"WWW."@tune.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: " Mr. John Cooper" <customercareriamoneytransfer@citromail.hu>
Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2017 09:17:16 +0900 (JST)
Subject: CONTACT RIA MONEY CUSTOMER CARE IMMEDIATELY OR CALL DIRECT LINE
+229 99489498

Attn please,

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all your
Payments that are left in our custody which your were supposed to
Receive earlier last year. Besides, you were given a bill of $156
In order to receive your payments of which we didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t hear from you for
Sometime now. Hence, our Ria money transfer is now offering a special Bonus

To help all our customers that are having their payments in our
Custody due to of prices in other words; we are now requesting that
You should only pay the sum of $57 only to receive your payments.
Besides, my dear these are the opportunity for you to comply and your
Funds shall be transfer to your designated address. But remember that
After (4 days) you did not make the payment then we will retrieve your
Transfers, so try to avoid this problem because this year is not like
Last year.

Ã‚ Again after (Four days) we will enter a new project for the year and
That is the reason why we decided to help you before we enter into the
New project. So we advise you send only $57 today so that we will
Register and update your payments for you to start receiving your
$5,000 daily as from today. Be advice that there is no time again for
We to call any person on phone unless you will call /Phone +229
99489498. After the payment of $57 you will start receiving your money
Every day $4500, 000 through Ria money transfer or Western Union until

your total amount of
Funds $2.5million is fully paid to you.

Your first Payment has to be immediately sent, this payment was directed to be made
available in your full information immediately you reconfirmed your full information as the following below

Your Full Name:............................
Your Home Address:.........................
Your Country/ City:.............................
Your Age:....................................
Your Sex:........................................
Your Direct Phone Number:..........................
Your ID copy:............................

Don t expose this numbers to anybody else. You should send the $57
Through Ria money transfer or Western Union Money Transfer with the written information
Below and email me back with the payment information once you do that.

SEND THE REQUIRED FEE TO THIS INFO:

Receiver Name...........UGO JOHN
Country..............Benin Republic
City....................Porto-novo
Text Question...........when
Answer..................Today
Amount..................$57

Mt c n number...
Sender's Name...

The moment you do that, write out the payment information written on
The payment slip, forward it back to us which will enable in
Confirming the payment you sent such as, Note; this is the only
Payment you are required to make in this regards for every other fee
Have been waived by the Federal Ministry. As soon as we confirm the
Fee today, we will immediately activate your mtcn# and notify you then
You go and pick up your $4500, 00 today as stated. Please note that you
Need to go along with your passport ID or Drivers license when you
Need to pick up the transfer today okay. Waiting on your urgent
Respond.

Sincerely,
Mr. John Cooper
Ria money transfer Union Cotonou-Benin Republic

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam