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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)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • esqharden@zwallet.com
  • esqharden1@zwallet.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Harden" <esqharden@zwallet.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: esqharden1@zwallet.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 22:00:46 +0100
Subject: ARE YOU HIS NEXT OF KIN ???

Paul Harden & Co
Swan Center, Fishers Lane
Chis wick London, W4 1RX. UK.
Email:- esqharden@zwallet.com

Dear Friend,

I am writing you this proposal on behalf of my chambers. I got your information as a result of my personal search for a honest person whom i will work with,hence I decided to seek your views if you will work with me, due to the sensitivity of this transaction and my position as a lawyer.

I am Paul Harden from UK, representing Mr. Martin Greenberg, a
foreign, Engineer by profession, who died since 1999, in an Egypt Air crash, on the 31st October along with other passengers on board.

Before his death, he has a huge sum of (US$25.5) which no other person knew about, he intended to invest the funds in Southern part of Africa.

This fund has NO other beneficiary and I have the original documents of Deposit/claim certificate to claim the money of which the amount involved is (US$25.5M) Twenty Five Millions five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars.

The fund is right now under the custody of a Security Company, which I will not like to disclose at the moment until I confirm your willingness to assist me in this project.

Few days ago, the Security Company sent me a letter, since I was his lawyer, asking me to present his NEXT OF KIN, to enable them release the said funds.

My desire is to be able to source for a foreign partner who is honest and trustworthy individual,so that I can present to the Security Company as the NEXT OF KIN of the Late Mr. Greenberg so that the fund can be release to him/her.

If you are willing to assist me in this transaction, your compensation will be (20% ), while I receives (70%) and the balance of (10%) for taxes and other miscellaneous expenses.

This transaction is 100% risk free provided you treat the transaction with utmost secrecy and confidentiality and also with my position as Esquire, I will perfect all the necessary documents on your name as soon as you are ready to do this deal with me.

Endeavour to email me the following information at: esqharden1@zwallet.com
Names, Address, Phone and Fax Numbers, Age, Sex, Marital Status and
Occupation.

Thank you and God Bless.
Paul Harden
Advocate & Solicitor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam