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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • mrs_diana72@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: FABRICE DOHOU <fabricedohou@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:27:29 +0000
Subject:


My Dear Friend, I am happy to inform you about my success in getting the inheritance fund transfered under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay. Presently I am in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transfering those funds despite that it failed us some how but at least God has answered my prayers at the end. Now contact my secretary in BENIN, her name is Mrs Diana Dossou, her email (mrs_diana72@yahoo.fr )and ask her to send you the total sum of $800,000.00 USD (EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) certified bank draft which I raised in your favour for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this transaction.I appreciated your efforts at that time very much so feel free and get in touch with my secretary and give her your address where to send the draft to you. Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the joy after all the suffering at that time. I am very busy at the moment here in Paraguay because of the investment projects which I and the new partner are having at hand. Finally remember that I had forwarded an instruction to my secretary on your behalf to make sure that you receive that money, so feel free to contact her without any delay so you can receive your compensation. Best regards,Dr.Fabrice Dohou
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam