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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:
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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 us 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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "capt_williamstanko" <capt_williamstanko@terra.com.mx>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:42:03 -0600
Subject: Good day


Good day,

I hope my email meets you well. I am in need of your assistance. My
name is Capt. williamstanko , I am in the Engineering military unit
here in Luanda, Angola, and we have about $12.5 Million US dollars
that we want to move out of the country. My partners and I need a
good partner someone we can trust.

It is legal money and we are moving it through diplomatic means, to
send it to your house directly or a bank of your choice using
diplomatic courier service. The most important thing is that can we
trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take your 50% out and keep
our own 50%. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where
the funds can be sent to. Our own part is sending it to you.

If you are interested I will furnis h you with more details. But the
whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all times.
Waiting for your urgent response.

Regards,
capt.williamstanko.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam