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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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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)
  • "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 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.
  • dennis40101@yahoo.co.in

Fraud email example:

From: Dennis Owusu <dennis401001@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 03:34:06 +0100 (BST)
Subject: AVAILABLE FOREIGN NEXT-OF-KIN


DEAR FRIEND,

I AM MR DENNIS OWUSU,THE CHIEF CORPORATE INVESTMENT BANKER OF A BANK IN ACCRA GHANA.I MUST SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN WHAT AM ABOUT TO TELL YOU.THIS IS BY VIRTUE OF IT'S NATURE AS BEING HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT.

I AM LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND REPUTABLE PERSON TO HANDLE A CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION. A LEADING BUSINESS MAN AND STATEMAN OF A FAR EASTERN COUNTRY UNTIL HIS DEATH RECENTLY, BANKED AND HAD A CLOSING BALANCE OF US$8M (EIGHTMILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) IN A FIXED DEPOSIT ACCOUNT. WHICH THE BANK UNQUESTIONABLY EXPECTS TO BE CLAIMED BY ANY AVAILABLE FOREIGN NEXT-OF-KIN TO THE LATE BENEFICIARY.

I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH YOU REGARDING TO THIS FUNDS.REPLY IMMEDIATELY VIA:dennis40101@yahoo.co.in.

THANKS,
BEST REGARDS,
MR DENNIS OWUSU



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam