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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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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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.
  
• 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.
  • w_d_uke@takemail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "dukewil@terra.es" <dukewil@terra.es>
Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 12:17:30 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: Dear Friend



Dear Friend

My name is Mr. Duke WIlliams, I am the Island region branch manager of the Zenith Inte'l Bank Plc, Lagos - Nigeria. I am seeking your assistance on a fund transfer worth USD$12.5M. This funds is as a result of an excess profit made by our Island region branch office in the last quarter of the year 2004, which I have carefully placed in an Escrow Call Deposit Account and did not declare this to my head office, Can I really trust you to handle this transaction with me?

As soon as you show interest, I will proceed in making changes of the beneficiary status of this funds in your favour for easy transfer to your account. All I need is for you to get a good current account in your bank where this money will be transfer to through my perfected plans, I will discreetly give you all the information concerning this transaction and guide you to apply to the paying Bank for the release of the funds. There is practically no risk involved; it will be simple Bank-to-Bank transfer. I hope you understand my situation.

If you agree to handle this transaction we shall discuss on the sharing pattern, do include your direct telephone number to enable us discuss indetails. Forward your reply to my alternative email address: (w_d_uke@takemail.com)

Thank you.

Mr. Duke Williams.





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam