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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Helen Edward <mshelenedward021@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mshelenedward@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 10:33:50 +0100
Subject: From Miss Helen Edward



From Miss Helen Edward
The Faith Ministry Int'l44 Freetown RoadIvory Coast
Greetings,
I am Miss Helen Edward from Ivory Coast. I am 22 years old, university undergraduate the only daughter of my Late parents Mr & Mrs Anderson M Edward .My late father was a government building contractor and also he was into Estate Management before his untimely date.

My mother died after a Fibriod operation she had when I was at the age of 10 years and My late father was poisoned to death during his visit to our home town for a family meeting 8 July 2006 . Before the death of my late father in a private hospital he called by his bedside and he told me that he deposited the sum of 6.8 usd (Six Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in a Security Company here in Ivory Coast of which my name was used as the next of kin.
Due to the political problem here and the reason behind my parents death I will not wish to stay here again for now. Please I am asking for your kind assistance to help me transfer this money into your account so that I can join you after the transfer to continue my education in your country.

The death of my parents really brought sorrow and setback to my life and I wished to stay under your care with your advise please. I am in a sincere need of your kind assistance ,again It is the fear of betrayal from anyone around me here that confirms my decision to contact a neutral person like you, Please I am in a sincere need of your kind assistance and I promise never to let you down.

I am willing to offer you 35% of the total amount for your kind assistance. I need your full contact informations (Name,Address and telephone number) I will give you more details and on how to bring fruitful of this transfer upon your immediate reply .
Warmest Regards,Miss Helen Edward.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam