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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: PAUL ACQUAH <pacoqa001@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <p_acquah105@yahoo.es>
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:58:28 +0000
Subject: FUND DELIVERY NOTIFICATION.


FROM THE DESK OF THE GOVERNORBANK OF GHANA (BOG)REPUBLIC OF GHANA Dear Sir/Madam, IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT INHERITANCE ON CONTRACT#:MAV/GNPC/GH/MIN/009. From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment withtheGovernment of Ghana your name and company was discovered as next onthe list of the outstanding contractors who have not received theirpayments. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will bereleased to you as soon as you respond to this letter.Also note thatfrom my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$15.7million dollars (Fifteen Million Seven Hundred Thousand United StatesDollars). Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in yourrecord and also re-confirm to me the followings: 1) Your full name.2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.3) Company name, Position and Address.4) Profession, age and marital status.5) Any form of identification. As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made toyou in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank account directlyfrom Bank of Ghana and the copy of transfer will be given to you foryou to take to your bank and confirm it. Get back to me as soon as you receive this mail. Regards, Dr. Paul AcquahGovernor (BOG)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam