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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • ",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)
• 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.
  • sir_cotrell@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: JOHN COTRELL <sir_cotrell@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:49:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Confidential


Good day to you,


I am Edward , for some reasons now I’m hiding my
maiden name. I am writing to you after much search on
the Internet for a reliable /trustworthy/capable
person to discuss some terms. I am wanted by the
united states secret service for crimes involving
credit cards, I am a professional in this field and up
to 13th of November ,2006 I’ve been decoding and
embezzling funds from credit cards ranging from
master, visa cards. I deducted up to $14,000,000.00
million from internal credit cards in the United
States. I took it as a risk and made it .The secret
service are still on me with a huge reward on my head.



Presently I’m in hiding in South Africa as I couldn’t
make a pass with such huge amount. I’ve been on the
low since that time and presently I’m in the red(have
limited amount in cash)..I know I’m taking a great
risk
contacting you but please do not betray me .I
know that I am a thief but even Jesus Christ forgave a
thief. Please I plead with you to keep this
information strictly between me and you, as you will
reap abundantly. There are three things i want you to
know; 1)they monies are lodged in a Nat west
Birmingham account in England 2)I am in no hurry to
get at it now except that I need to offset some costs
I’ve accumulated in hiding. 3) I want to make the trip
to England now and remit the funds, having understood
that, I want to be sure that I can trust you regarding
the risk involved that you will not disclose my
identity to anyone. ii)On reaching England I will
transfer $500,000.00 to your proposed account
.iii)that you have up to $50,000.00 that you can send
to me so that I’ll make the trip undetected.



Trust me There is no obligation to this, not even the
monies. I am trying this as a fast and less risky
means. but please do not let me down. if you accept to
help me fine if you don't please delete this message I
will not contact you again, I am no spammer
or whatever the call them I just happen to be using
this means to reach you .if you feel you can help me
and help yourself, send me a mail ASAP at
sir_cotrell@yahoo.com,i will give you further details,
and I wish I can trust you.



Regards, Ojo


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam