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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +447031821132 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448712561833 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: George Duke <ggduke9@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrgeorgeduke@eyou.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:57:14 +0300
Subject: RE: thanks



Hello, My name is Mr. George Duke; I am a dormant account manager at a Branch of Barclays Bank in UK. While I was browsing through some of the accounts that are on hold in our database for more than 12 months, I noticed an account with a name as yours. This account has a pending $1,950,000,00 USD transfer that has never been picked up for 2 years. But I have immediately placed it under suspense/awaiting account with open beneficiary to be picked up via Canada or any of our Diplomatic corresponding payment offices including Dubai. All arrangements have been made so I have applied for foreign beneficiary form B release which was approved for fund claim. Here is my proposition: I have obtained the approval for international certificate (British Judiciary Clearance) that will be notarized in your name for the fund release. Treat as urgent and confidential if interested.1. A valid ID card/License number as my security for my money (share).2. A letter sent to me via my private emai
l that states you will indeed send me my share after you take your share of $950,000.00.3. Full name, address and telephone number.4. A telephone call indicating yourself as the trustee.5. Attached photocopy of the cheque that will be issued in your name which will be released to you.Reply as soon as you receive this email and call me so that I will arrange for an appointment as well as your code to be issued. Yours faithfully,Mr. George Duke.TEL:+44-70-3182-1132FAX:+44-87-1256-1833
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam