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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • aguyi_peter@hotmail.fr

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:11:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Friend,I am very happy to inform you about my success


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:watercolins@yahoo.com.co



- Dear Friend,I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund transferred. Now I want you to contact my secretary on him email address below and receive your compensation of $1,2 MILLION US DOLLARS from him:NAME:Aguyi Peter.EMAIL: aguyi_peter@hotmail.fr. Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information: Your full name_____Your address_______Your country_______Your age______Your occupation____he will not release the cheque to you because he has to be sure that it is you. Ask him to send you the total sum of ($1.200,000.00 )USD CASHIER'S CHEQUE ,which I kept for you. Note also that I will not bereached by email or phone for now because I am currently away in Japan for investment purpose with my share and I will be busy till about six months time or a year.Best regards,Dr,Water Colins

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam