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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
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.
- bbva_compassbank@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr, Alex Morgan." <"WWW."@tiara.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr, Alex Morgan." <bbva_compassbank@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2017 07:24:22 +0900 (JST)
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF CREDIT FROM BBVA COMPASS BANK California United
State.

FROM THE DESK OF BBVA COMPASS BANK.
FUND MANAGEMENT & REFORM COMMITTEE
(SUB SECTION UNITED STATE OF AMERICA MONITORING UNIT)
Our Ref: PHC/WAMU/BJN/ZZ057
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller:
Address: 10905 Atlantic Ave, Lynwood, CA 90262, United States
Open Hours: ï¿½ï¿½ 9AMk
Phone: +1 432-827-8960
Bank E-Mail: bbva_compassbank@aol.com

NOTIFICATION OF CREDIT FROM BBVA COMPASS BANK California United State.

Dear Beneficiary,

We have this day received a payment credit instruction from the International Monetary Fund {IMF} to credit your account with your full Inheritance fund of US $1. 5 Million dollars from the Online emails lucky data bases reserve account 2017 with the con-ligation of UNITED NATION ORGANIZATION.

However, you are required to provide the followings data below:

{1}. Your Full Name:
{2}. Your Country And Home Address.:
{3}. Your Occupation
{4}. Your Confidential Tel,
{5}. Your Bank name and address.
{6}. Your A/c Name and A/c Numbers.:
(7}. Your Routing Numbers.
(8}. YOUR ID COPY.

Please do provide the above information accurately, because this office cannot afford to be held liable for any wrong transfer of funds or liability of funds credited into a ghost account.

Thanks for transacting with the BBVA COMPASS BANK. while we looking forward to serving you with the best of our service.

Accept my congratulations in advance.

GOD BLESS UNITED STATE OF AMERICA.

Thanks and God bless you.

Regards,
Mr, Alex Morgan.
Yours in Service,
Bank E-Mail: bbva_compassbank@aol.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam