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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:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: JOHN ONIGBOGI ALISON <john_onigbogi_alison11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <john.alison700@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:29:14 -0500
Subject: ***SPAM*** FromMr. John Alison.



Confidential

Greetings to you my friend, I know this will come to you as a surprise because you do not know me. I am John Alison; I work in Central Bank of Nigeria, packaging and courier department.

I got your contact among others from a search on the internet and i was inspired to seek your co-operation, I want you to help me clear this consignment that is already in the Europe which I shipped through our CBN accredited courier agent. The content of the package is $20,000,000.00 all in $100 bills, but the courier company does not know that the consignment contains money. All I want you to do for me now is to give me your mailing address, your private phone and fax number, and I believe that at the end of the day you will have 30% and 70% will be for me. My identity must not be revealed to anybody. If this arrangement is okay by you, you can call or email me, for security reasons other modalities will be discussed as soon as you get back to me indicating that you are ready to partake in this transaction. Note: You will act as the real owner of the said consignment. Warm regards to your family, Mr. John Alison.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam