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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
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • petr_will@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "adibas " <adougg10@rediffmail.com>
Date: 15 Feb 2007 18:47:21 -0000
Subject: CONTACT MR. WILLIAMS


Hello my good friend.
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?, You may not understand why this mail came to you.But if you do not remember me, you might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.
I am using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from India who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.
I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to my new partner\'s account in India that was capable of assisting me in this great venture.
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the transaction.I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $1,200,000.00. I have left a certified international bank cheque for you worth of $1,200,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world.
My dear friend I will like you to contact my Account Officer Mr. Peter Williams, on his direct email address :( petr_will@myway.com ) for the collection of your bank cheque. I authorized him to release the Bank Cheque to you whenever you contact him regarding the Cheque.
At the moment, I\'m very busy here because of the investment projects, which I and the new partner are having at hand.Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart,Also comply with Mr.Peter\'s directives so that he will send the Cheque to you without any delay.
CONTACT: Mr. Peter Williams.Account Officer,Cotonou, Benin Republic,His email address:[ petr_will@myway.com ]
Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the cheque to you.
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you.
Mr. Douglas Adibas

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam