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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447040110123 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • johnwaya018@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MR JOHN WAYA <MR.JOHN.WAYA@web1.freedom2surf.net> (may be fake)
Reply-To: johnwaya018@yahoo.it
Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 14:03:08 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT/PRIVATE

VERY URGENT/PRIVATE


Sequel to your non response of my earlier letter to you on behalf of the Trustees and Executors to the Will of our Late client.

I wish to notify you that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of usd$15m(Fifteen million United States Dollars)in the codicil and last testament of the deceased.Until his death he was a major share holder in big companies which include textile and construction companies.

He was a very great philanthropist during his life time.He died on 9th January 2006 at the age of 68.He was buried on the 3rd of February.Even though he was a foreigner living and working here he requested before his death that he be buried here in his words,"I regard here as My home and the people as my people"We therefore reckoned that you can receive this funds as you are qualified by being listed as the beneficiary of the fund.

All the legal paperwork will be processed on your response.In your acceptance of this offer,I request that you kindly forward your current telephone and fax numbers and forwarding address to enable us file the necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of the fund to you.

You can reach me a return email via johnwaya018@yahoo.it or through my private number
+44 704 011 0123


Yours faithfully,

Barrister John Waya.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam