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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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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:
  • "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)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • 2sgtleeboyd@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: SGT.LEE BOYD <bayconsult73@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: bayconsult74@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:53:07 +0200
Subject: SGT.LEE BOYD


Dear,
I am an American soldier, In foreign service with the
Third infantry Division in Iraq, I and my superior
moved part of discovered funds belonging to fleeing
regime leaders in Iraq, the total amount is $25,
000,000.00 US dollars.
This money is being kept safe
in a secured location we would disclose to you later.
You can go through this web link to understand
events that took place in Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Basically, since we are in government service and we
are not allowed to have or keep discovered looted
funds around us, we have decided to look for someone
to help us relocate and keep this funds for us, that
is why I have contacted you, so that you can keep it
for us in your safe account or custody untill we
complete our foreign service in Iraq.
You will take30%, while 70% will be for me and my
partner.This business is confidential, and it should
not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk
involved whatsoever as it is only me and my partner
that knows the present location of the money.
If you are interested I will send you operational
details, my job is to find agood partner that we can
trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you? To
ensure confidentiality, when you receive this
letter,kindly reply me via e-mail: 2sgtleeboyd@myway.com
signifying your interest including your phone and fax numbers
for quick communication and also your physical locational
address.
Respectfully,
Sgt Lee Boyd

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam