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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.

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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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • azizudochamber@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Linda Dickson" <lindadickson@walla.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: linda2dickson@yahoo.com.nz
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:51:53 +0200
Subject: RE:Hello, Miss Linda Dickson

Hello Dear,

Just quite a long silent.With hope all is well with you and your family over there, i wish to inform you that i have finally achieved the project of which i contacted you to come forward to assist me on.
An indian by name Sanjiv Kumar mind was touched to effect the project by assisting both financial and morally to retrieve the box and also have it shipped to his country-INDIA.Recently, i am in INDIA taking treatment because i was advised to try their hospital on matters concerning Diabetes and high blood pressure problem. I may not be communicating with you always as i will be going under major surgical operation and of which i am not sure of surviving.No matter what the situation may look like i still give thanks to God for everything because he anwsered my prayer by keeping me alive to witness that this money was used for the future of my children and my new family.

However, my mind was touched to appreciate your effort with the sum of $400,000 in making sure that this noble transaction was accomplished, though you couldn't make it but i understood your sincere mind and willingness to assist and that's why i have drafted a cheque of 400,000 Dollars to compensate you and also to appreciate your eagerness. Right now you have to contact my solicitor whom i have handed the cashier's cheque of $400,000 to release it to you as i have prepared the cheque with your information.

contact barrister AZIZ UDO
email address,azizudochamber@yahoo.com


Contact him and you have to make a choice of the safer means of sending the cheque to you, this is because i cannot send out money through any means out here in India, there are no western union office nor money gram for easy sending and receiving of funds. Confirm to me as soon as you receive this cashier's cheque, so that i can know that the lawyer really delivered it.

Thanks and God bless.

Respectfully,

Miss Linda Dickson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam