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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27737193686 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • sridley1955@yahoo.com
  • nom.nom@laposte.net

Fraud email example:

From: "ridley.simon" <ridley.simon@laposte.net>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:00:03 +0100 (CET)
Subject: MUTUAL BUSINESS COLLABORATION...



Dear Friend,
I know that this message will come to you as a surprise.
I AM MR. SIMON RIDLEY THE AUDITOR OF ONE OF THE PRIME BANKS HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
I Hope that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that i am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our both families.
I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of ($20)million to your account within 14 banking days. This money has been dormant for years in our Bank without claim.

Upon receipt of your reply,i will give you full details on how the business will be executed and also note that you will have 25% of the above mentioned sum if you agree to handle this business with me. Please ensure that you get back to me from my private e-mail address sridley1955@yahoo.com or call me at +27 737193686.
Best Regards.
Mr. Simon Ridley

Créez votre adresse électronique prénom.nom@laposte.net
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam