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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
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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:
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Cole Steven" <steven.cole02@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: steven.cole04@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 11:43:00 +0100
Subject: YOUR SHIPPING CONFIRM


HONOUREBLE CONTRACTOR
........................................
Sequel to the secretive arrangement in regards of the shipment of your
contract sum USD$10.5m, I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities
have been automatically concluded and the payment has left Nigeria to (UAE)
via your Country today by Express Cargo Flight. Note carefully the content
of the crate is "MONEY" but C.B.N been where the funds left did not
disclose it to the Courier Services as Money, rather the officail registered
it as the crate contain Vital"ANTIQUES/DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS" belonging to my
client (that is you).

Further more, the weight of the consignment is 220kg but I,managed to pay
for 120kg, which cost $16.000 and On no account should you disclose the
content of the crate with the Diplomatic Courier Services AS MONEY for fear
of betrayal. In the meantime, contact the DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICES (UAE)
on Tel to confirm the arrival of the consignment also to know the actual
condition, give them your details and address where the consignments hould
be delivered to you, ther after get back to me as soon as possible so that
I can give you the shipment document that will back you with the claim as
well as the full contact information of the Diplomat who inspected the
consignment from here to (UAE) for your onward communication with him as the
beneficiary. Mean while, I will be coming over to your country immediately
the consignment arrives in your Country for my 50% share.

Congrats and remain blessed.

Best Regards,
Mr. Steven Cole

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam