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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:
  • "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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Robert Thompson <robertht06@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: robertht01@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:29:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I await your reply & information


Attn:Sir,

I discovered a dormant account in my office, as Auditor with Investment Bank of Africa. It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth Twenty Million Dollars in an account offshore. If you can be a collaborator/partner to this please indicate interest immediately forus to proceed.

Remember this is absolutely confidential, as I am seeking your assistance as the beneficiary of this unclaimed funds, since we are not allowed to operate a foreign account,I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.


My Regards,
Robert Thompson


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam