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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:
  • "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Kalou Odumu <barrister_kalouodumu2@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: barrister_kalouodumu3@yahoo.it
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:57:19 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Congratulations Beneficiary,Payment Approval.


Congratulations Beneficiary,

Re:Payment Approval

I, Barrister Kalou Odumu writes to inform you that the over due inheritance funds valued US$10,500,000(Ten Million, Five Hundred United States Dollar) has been approved by the presidency and it's about to be released to through a commercial bank here in Nigeria(City Trust Bank Plc) via Key Telegraphic Transfer(KTT).
But, you are required to re-confirm the information's stated below to enable me forward your details to the paying bank for effective Wire Transfer.

FULL NAME:
FULL ADDRESS:
PHONE:
BANK NAME:
BANK ADDRESS:
ACCOUNT YPE:
ROUTING #:
ACCOUNT #:
SWIFT CODE(IF ANY):

Immediately I acknowledge the complete details, the paying bank shall contact you officially for the release of the over due inheritance funds either via Key Telegraphic Transfer(KTT).
Be informed that all documentation has been made on your behalf for easy effective transfer without hitches.
Also, the bank fees such as; C.O.T (Cost of Transfer & VAT (Value Added Tax) of 5% shall be deducted from source before transfer.
Finally, due to the huge amount involved and for your best interest, keep this confidential until you confirm the funds.

Congratulations once again!!
Regards,
Barrister Kalou Odumu.
Phone: +234-1-2125045





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam