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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
  (+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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million united states 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)
  • "this business is hitch free " (a common phrase found 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: chrisezedi@barcleysbank.com
Reply-To: mrchrisezedi3@yahoo.com.au
Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:56:43 +0000
Subject: CONTACT

Mr.Chris Ezedi
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
UNION BANK PLC.

ATTN:

My
name is Mr.Chris Ezedi of credit and foreign bills of Unionbank Plc. I am
writing in respect of a foreign customer of my bank with account
number14-255-2004/utb/t who perished in a plane crash with the whole
passengers aboard .Since the demise of this our customer, I personally has
watched with keen interest to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive
as none has come to claim his funds of usd.15.5M, [Fifteen million united
states dollars] which has been with my branch for a verylong time. On this
note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as the next of kin as
no one has come up to be the next of kin.And the banking ethics here does not
allow such money to stay more than five years, because money will be recalled
to the bank treasury as unclaimed after this period.

In view of this I gotyour contact through a trade journal after realizing that
your name and country is similar to the deceased. I will give you 40% of the
total.Upon the receipt of your response, I will send you by fax or e-mail the
application, bank's fax number and the next step to take. I will not fail to
bring to your notice that this business is hitch free and that you should not
entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer can be finalized with
in five banking days, after you apply to the bank as a relation to the
deceased.When you receive this letter.Kindly send me an e-mail signifying your
interest including your private Tel/Fax
numbers,full name and address,company and age for quick communication.
Yours faithfully,
Mr.Chris Ezedi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam