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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • +22993798095 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • john_kok01@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: adamscl@zipmail.com.br
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:09:43 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Contact=20Mr=2EJohn=20Koko=20for=20your=20bank=20draft=20immediately?=

My Dear Friend,
This is to thank you for your past effort.I understand that your hands were
tied.Do not worry any more.I have succeeded,the money has been transfered
into the account provided by a newly found friend and business partner of
mine from Mexico.
This is to compensate you because of your past assistance and commitments.I
have dropped a bank draft of US$1.300,000.00(One million three hundred thousand
United State Dollar for you )for you.
I am in Mexico with my wife presently.I do intend to establish some business
concerns here,and possibly buy some properties.Contact my secretary, Mr.John
Koko on his direct email address.
Attn; John Koko
Phone; +229 9379 8095
Email:(john_kok01@yahoo.fr)
Forward my mail to him,then ask him to send the draft to you.
And do send him with this informations below.
Your full Names;
Home addresses;
With your Cellphone number;
Take good care of your self.

Regards,
Cletus Adams.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam