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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge deposit" (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 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.
  • harrystephen4jesus@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "harrystephen1970" <harrystephen1970@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 02:42:59 -0600
Subject: HELLO SIR MA


Dear sir ma,

I am Harry Stephen a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney to
Mr. Mark Sea a national of your country, who lived in Nigeria.Here in
after shall be referred to as my client.
On the 21st of April 2003, my client, was involved in a car accident
along sagbama express road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately
lost there lives.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits was lodged.Particularly,
the city trust finance company where the deceased had an account valued
at about 30 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin or have the account confisicated within the next ten official
working days.

Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this
account valued at 30 million dollars can be paid to you.
If you agree we can discuss your percentage.I have all necessary legal
documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I
require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from anybreach of the law.
SEND YOUR REPLY TO THE ATERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW:
harrystephen4jesus@myway.com

Awaiting your response.
Best regards,
Harry Stephen(Esq)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam