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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "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)
• 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.
  • mr.andrewmackinnon@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: director mackinnon <directormackinnon2@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:15:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GOOD DAY


Attention Sir,

I am Mr Andrew Mackinnon, I am the general accountant of a reputable bank here in Africa and with my position, I was privileged to use my position to over invoice a contract by excess of $19.5 million Dollars, which I have insured and secured in the banks escrow account here in our branch and what I need now is a trust worthy Foreigner whom I will work in hand with, to transfer this money ($19.5 million Dollars) to his company or private account immediately.

I will use my position to influence this project in other to expedite the transfer. Send me the following information below for agreement purpose and security reasons upon your confirmation of interest. Then I will tell you the next step.

1. Full Name, address and occupation
2. Private phone number
3. A copy of your ID or International passport.

Reply to my private email: Mr.AndrewMackinnon@yahoo.com

Regards,
Mr Andrew Mackinnon.


.................................................................................................................................
N.B. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THIS BUSINESS TRANSACTION IS 100% LEGAL
AND COMPLETELY FREE FROM TERRORIST, DRUG MONEY OR MONEY LAUNDERING. THIS IS A COMPLETE LEGITIMATE BUSINESS TRANSACTION.




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam