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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:

• 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.
  • mrbellelvis@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Bell Elvis" <honrab@msn.com>
Reply-To: mrbellelvis@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 09:38:01 +0000
Subject: I know you do not know me...

Dear Sir,


I know you do not know me.Please keep this information to yourself, prior to
the recent circumstance that has befallen my boss, he confidently instructed
me to contact you urgently.

Just about one month from now,my boss was held and detained by the British
Government who claimed the discovery of more than one millions Pounds found
in his possession. I am afraid if you are not aware of this information? As
a result of this circumstance most of my boss’s public properties have been
confiscated by the authorities in charge of this case.

My boss sincerely needs your help before the Government will come to know
about his financial deposit of US$20 million with a firm in the Republic of
Benin which was routed to leave to London but as a result of the present
circumstance, I am afraid we cannot move this funds as earlier scheduled,
they are contained in two boxes. Its imperative and a sensitive issue that
he requested for your total assistance to take delivery of the funds into
your custody in the interim;

My boss has offered to highly compensate you for your assistance. More so,
it is instructive you note that this matter remain classified. On no
accounts must you disclose this information to any third party no matter
what your decision may be. Urgently contact me via my personal email address
for further details. (mrbellelvis@yahoo.fr)

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Mr. Bell Elvis.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam