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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: AN URGENT ASSISTANCE <gregmatias23@zwallet.com>
Reply-To: gregmarthias@rediffmail.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 11:09:46 +0100
Subject: AN URGENT ASSISTANCE


FROM:MR. GREG MARTHIAS,
No. 203 NELSON MANDELA WAY
JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Friend,
My name is GREG MARTHIAS a native of Cape Town south Africa. I have a proposal to make that might be interesting to you. I am in possession of a large sum of money in cash totaling US$8.000,000 Million US Dollars realized from the sale of Gold Dust and precious stones. The money is lodged at security company in Europe. I want to move the money abroad to invest it in profitable ventures...
Firstly to assist me to export this money to any suitable country abroad... And upon your request I want the money to be paid directly to any bank of your choice , for your assistance you will receive 30% of total sum 5% will be used for any expenses incured during the transaction, Also be assured there is no risk involved.
Only to give us very strong guarantee that our share will be well secured and also not take advantage of our position since the money will be paid directly to a bank account that you nominate.
Be assured that there is absolutely nothing to worry about in the view of the transaction, it is perfectly safe and good enough. ... You should keep this transaction very confidential, because we are still in active public service in south Africa.
And upon your request I will furnish you with the certificate of Deposit issued by the security company at the time of making the deposit...
Sincerely,
MR.GREG MARTHIAS.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam