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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • mersch2006@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mersch <mersch@ozu.es>
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2006 18:09:39 +0200
Subject: PRIVATE AND URGENT.


From: Mr. David Mersch
Amsterdam - Neitherlands
Email: mersch2006@yahoo.com

Dear Friend ,

I am contacting you on a business transfer of a
huge sum of money from a deceased account.
Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude
will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am
assuring you that all will be well at the end of the
day. I decided to contact you due to the urgency
of this transaction.


PROPOSITION:

I was informed by SNS Bank that my late client by name
Mr. Aloysius William Han has a sum of $18,100,000.00
(Eighteen million One hundred thousand united state dollars)
in their escrow account and left my name as someone that will
appoint his beneficiary incase of eventuality.

My late client Mr. Aloysius William Han died on the
January 31 2000

http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/


Since his death, none of his next-of-kin or relations has come
forward to lay claims for this money as the heir.The bank cannot
release the funds from their escrow account unless someone
applies for claim as the next-of-kin to the deceased as
indicated in thier banking guidelines.

Upon this discovery, I his personal lawyer now seek your permission
to have you stand as a next-of-kin to the deceased as all documentation
will be carefully worked out by me for the funds ($16,100,000.00) to be
released in your favour as the beneficiary's next-of-kin.

It may interest you to know that i have secured from the probate and order
of madamus to locate any of deceased beneficiaries. Please acknowledge
receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual business endeavour by


furnishing me with the following:


1. Name and address (to be used as the Beneficiary)

2. Direct Telephone and fax numbers (to contact you)

These requirements will enable me file a letter of claim to the appropriate
departments of the bank for necessary approvals in your favour before the
transfer can be made.I shall be compensating you with $2,000,000.00
(two million united state dollars) on final conclusion of this project, while
THE REST shall be for me for investment purposes in your country to be
managed by you.

If this proposal is acceptable by you, do not take undue advantage
of the trust i have bestowed on you. I await your urgent response.

Mr.David Mersch
Email: mersch2006@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam