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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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. 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.

Fraud email example:

From: kenneth Essien <kenneth-essien2@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <kenneth.essien@bigmir.net>
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:16:03 -0400
Subject: How are you?



Hello my good friend, How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition.I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of funds into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the funds out of my bank to someone else account who was capable of assisting me in this great venture. Due to your effort,sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $1,000.000.00 (One Million United States Dollars) I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you cashier's cheque cashable at your bank.
My dear friend I will like you to contact my secretary as i have instructed him to see that you receive the cashier's cheque from the finance house. The name and contact address of my secretary is as follows:
Mr.Obafemi WilliamsEmail: obafemi.williams2000@bigmir.net
NOTE :Below is the required information that you should send to Mr.Williams :
1.Your full name2.Your contact address 3.Your telephone number At the moment I am very busy because of the investment project which myself and my new partner are having at hand.Finally,remember that I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on your behalf,my secretary will facilitate what needs to be done and send your cashier's cheque to you at your designated address as soon as you contact him. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Best Regards, Kenneth Jeremy Essien
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam