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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:
  • "million british pounds" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Johnson Liam <liam_johnson@fsmail.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 13:56:29 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Fund Transfer


Hello VICTIMNAME,
Please accept my sincere apologies if my email does not meet your business or personal ethics. I introduce myself as Liam a staff in the accounts management section of a well-known bank here in the United Kingdom.
One of our accounts with holding balance of £15,000,000 (Fifteen Million British Pounds) has been dormant and last operated, three years ago. From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account, a Foreigner by name Gerald Stone died on the 4th of January 2002 in a plane crash in Birmingham here in UK.
Since then, nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money, as he has no family member that has any knowledge as to the existence of either the account or the funds; Information from the National Immigration also states that he was single on entry into the UK.
I have confidentially discussed this issue with some of the bank officials and we have agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with. We therefore propose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin of these funds from the deceased and funds released to you after due processes have been followed.
This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegal act.
On your interest, let me hear from you.
Warm Regards,
Liam

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam