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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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• 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:
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: FRANK BROWN <tntcourierservicecompany09@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 05:33:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT INFORMATION


Dear Mrs Sang,

IN RESPECT TO YOUR MAIL.

WE ARE JUST A COURIER COMPANY AND OUR SERVICES ARE RESTRICTED TO THE COURIER SECTOR ONLY. WE ARE UNABLE TO SEND TO YOU A CHEQUE, IT WILL BE AGAINST COMPANY LAWS.

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT A CHEQUE IS NOT THE SAME AS CASH. WE ARE UNABLE TO DEDUCT MONEY FOR YOUR TRANSFER FROM A CHEQUE, AND THAT IS WHY WE INSIST THAT YOU SEND THE MONEY FOR YOUR FUNDS TRANSFER TO US.

IN THE EVENT THAT YOU ARE UNABLE/UNWILLING TO SEND THE MONEY FOR YOUR FUND TRANSFER, DO HAVE US INFORMED SO WE CAN RE-DIRECT YOUR CHEQUE BACK TO THE LOTTERY COMPANY.

WE WILL REQUIRED YOUR COMFIRMATION IN THIS REGARD SO AS TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE SEND OF OUR BANK TRANSFER FORM TO YOU. TRANSFER OF YOUR FUNDS WILL TAKE THE A MAXIMUM OF FOURTY EIGHT HOUR TO REFLECT IN YOUR ACCOUNT.

WE AWAIT YOUR ANTICIPATED RESPONSE IN THIS REGARD.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

Mr Frank Brown (dispatch officer)






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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam