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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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 about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • gracetaylo@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: Grace Taylo <mrs.gracetaylo@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 13:09:12 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Your Response Needed Urgently.VICTIMNAME.


Dear VICTIMNAME,

Please do not be surprised for I need your help immediately,

I am Theresa G Taylor, wife of the Former President of Liberia (President Charles Taylor).

As you may be aware that we have been granted asylum in Nigeria by the President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) and we are presently living in Calabar Easten part of Nigeria.

Please I have what I will call my family last hope of $20m cash, RAW GOLD WORTH $10m AND RAW DIAMOND WORTH $10m MILLION DOLLARS TO ENTRUST to any
foreign trusted person who will help me to invest this fund into any good business, as I can no longer have any other means of livelihood.

Please,if you are interested in helping me to receive this BOX that is presently with A SECURITY COMPANY having Diplomatic Courier entry in countries like Africa, Spain, Belgium and China, I would be grateful. After successful receipt of this BOX by you, 30% of the total fund wil go to you. Since my husband and I have been restricted from movement and extended communication, my son (KEN) will come to your country to start up a business with your assistance so that we can be able to live again.

This fund is in a box deposited with A SECURITY COMPANY as a family box before leaving for Calabar in Nigeria. The company is not aware of what is inside the box as I told them that the box belongs to a family friend and that I will inform my friend to apply for the collection of the box, since we are not allowed to be attending to visitors in Nigeria. So please I will advise you to apply as the owner of this box so that as soon as you collect the box, you will arrange for the coming of my son to your country for proper investment. There is no risk in this as you are aware that our family is now free since we left Liberia to Nigeria peacefully.

Please, immediately I hear from you I will send to you the CERTIFICATES OF
DEPOSIT, CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP to your name and POWER OF ATTORNEY to enable you collect/receive this box from the company diplomats.

Waiting for your urgent response. Reply should be forward to my private email: mrs.gracetaylo@yahoo.co.uk

Yours sincerely
Theresa G Taylor.

NB: MY SON'S CONTACT AND MAIL ADDRESS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam