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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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2348062347122 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • chinaemelum_associates1@mighty.co.za

Fraud email example:

From: "CHARLES UGO" <charles_ugo12@msn.com>
Reply-To: mr_charles_ugoo@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 08:25:06 +0000
Subject: I am now successful

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the season and God's blessings

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,
the money transferred to London. It is done through the assistant of your
country man Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man. Currently I
am in London with him and my wife and children.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success, you
made me what I am now though you are not there to complet this project with
me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your fault
or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction ,I understand it is
simply because of what you must have heard about my country and her business
opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example myself.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and
wrote on your favor a Draft worth of US$1,500,000.00.(One Million,Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) I left the Draft with my
attorney Sir.John China Emelum on my departure to London. I would like you
therefore,to contact him on the below info so that he can mail it to you.

Attn: Sir. John China Emelum
Email: chinaemelum_associates1@mighty.co.za
Phone:234-806-234-7122

I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but due
to the recent terrorist attack Mr.Ferraro advice me not to call because all
internatonal calls are been monitored by the UK authority. Contact my
attorney in Nigeria so that he can release your Draft to you. I will stop
here. Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.

Regards,
Mr. Charles Ugo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam