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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:
  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 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 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.
  • joeziiaanngg@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "joe ziang" <joeziiaanngg@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 17:28:41 +0800
Subject: WITH TRUST

Kind Attention:

My name is Mr Joe Ziang. I trained and work as an external auditor for the United Overseas Bank (UOB) of Singapore, working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Asian region. I had taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavors. On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts that had been dormant for the least twelve years (Three tenors of four years each). All the accounts belong to a single holder with monies totaling a little above US $7.6 million United States Dollars plus interest. Banking regulation/legislation in Singapore demand that I notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time period of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the monetary regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and making the following proposal.

My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor (an American) died in 1994—the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died interstate (no next–of–kin) I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, I, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of Singapore. This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the said investor; this exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation. I shall however leave out the finer details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate.

Be assured that I and my colleagues are on top of the situation all the time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you agree to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please do so by email to the encrypted email address:joeziiaanngg@yahoo.com. I do expect your prompt response.


Thank you,

Joe Ziang

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam