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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:
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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
  • "foreign payment department" (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.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447031895671 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • johnsonmart@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Martin Johnson <martinjohnson1024@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <martinjohn2007@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:13:19 +0200
Subject: From: Mr. Martin Johnson



From: Mr. Martin Johnson
Tel: + 44 703 189 5671
Email: johnsonmart@sify.com

Attn: Sir/Madam,

My name is Mr. Martin Johnson I am the auditor and head of computing department of a bank here in United Kingdom the HSBC.

There is an account opened in this bank in 1997 and since my inception into office in 2001, nobody has operated on this account again. I have the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important transaction.

In order to transfer out GBP4, 000,000.00 (Four Million Pounds Sterling) After going through some old files, I discovered that if I do not remit this money out urgently. It will be forfeited for nothing. And I will like you to maintain absolute confidentiality that is needed in this transaction

Please respond immediately and I will use my position and influence to effect the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your account with appropriate clearance from foreign payment department. You will stand to get 40% while 60% will be for my Colleague and me.

I will update you more with further details upon your response to my proposal.

Sincerely yours,
Mr. Martin Johnson
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam