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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Thomas Allen Hoff (PVT)" <tah.pvt07@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:15:22 -1200
Subject: TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK

Dear Friend ,

My name is Thomas Allen Hoff (PVT) I am an American soldier,
serving in the military with the Third infantry Division in
Iraq. I and my superior moved funds belonging to Saddam
Hussein, the total is $USD35, 000, 000.00 (thirty five
Million US Dollars) this money is being kept safe in a
secured location.

You can go to this web link to read about events that took
place here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Basically since we are working for the government we cannot
keep these funds, we have decided to look for someone to
help us keep this funds this is why I have contacted you, so
you can keep it for us in your safe account or an offshore
account. We shall divide the total funds in four ways, since
we are four involved in this. You will take 20%, and 30%
will be for me, and my colleague will take 30%. 10% will for
our attorney in who is going to rendering service during the
transfer of this fund to your account and 10% be kept aside
for expenses perhaps incurred during the transaction. This
business is confidential, and it should not be discussed
with anyone as we are still in active work with American Arm
forces.

There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested
I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good
partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I
trust you? To ensure confidentiality, when you receive this
letter, kindly reply me via e-mail, signifying your interest
including your confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick
communication and also your contact details. This business
is risk free.
Respectfully submitted
Thomas Allen Hoff (PVT).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam