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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • major_ralph@yahoo.co.nz

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. MAJOR RALPH H," <major_ralph@yahoo.co.nz> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 17:07:57 +0400
Subject: I NEED UR HELP

Hello,

I am Major Ralph Harland, I am a British officer attached to UN peace Keeping force in Iraq,
I am the commanding officer of the First Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment,
as you may know everyday, there are several cases of insurgent attacks and suicide bombs
going on here.

We managed to Move funds belonging to some demised persons who were attacked and killed
through insurgent attacks. The total amount is US$9.5 Million dollars in cash. We want to
move this money to you, so that you may keep our share for us until when we shall come over
to meet you.

We will take 60%, my partner and I. You take 40%. No strings attached, just help us move it
out of Iraq, Iraq is a war zone.We plan on using Diplomatic courier and shipping the money
out in two large metallic boxes, using diplomatic immunity. If you are interested I will
send you the full details; my aim is to find a good partner that we can trust and assist
us can you be trusted?

When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail here major_ralph@yahoo.co.nz
signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers for
quick communication and also your contact details.
This business is 100% risk free.

Respectfully,

Major Ralph Harland

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam