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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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• 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:
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Alfred Nelson" <alfred1nelson@biz.by>
Reply-To: alfreddynelson@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 20:30:42 +0000
Subject: Dear Sir / Madam


*Dear Sir / Madam,

First of all, i want you to know that this is a deal in which the both of us
will benefit from. If you know that you can't keep this confidential, please
make no engage and i'll contact someone else; this is for security reason. I
am Alfred Nelson a senior account manager with BIAO BANK / International
Remittance Department Section which has it's corporate branch here in
Abidjan, Côte d´Ivoire. The bank involves in disbursement of funds in
financing United Nation projects and comonwealth development projects in
Africa.
In the course of my duty, I discovered an amount of USD $13,000,000
(thirteen millions dollars) deposited in cash for disbursement of a contract
that has been concluded. Unfortunately, the beneficiary to these funds has
passed away.
The funds was deposited along with a family name, the banking coordinates
and secret code number, all in my possession. I have all the necessary
informations to move these funds out of the bank for private use without the
knowledge of bank management.
The area of assistance required of you is to front you as the Beneficiary,
so that the funds can be retrieved for onward transfer to the designated
bank account of your choice overseas. I shall provide you with detailed
informations on how to execute this transaction upon the receipt of your
reply with the following informations:*

*1. Your full name
2. Your address
3. Your telephone number
4. Your date of birth
5. Your profession*

*I have mapped out 40% for you, 60% for me. Please rest assured that there
are no risks involved.
For maximum confidentiality, please contact me thru this email address.
Hoping to hear from you soon.

Thanks and may God bless you.

Sincerely,

Alfred Nelson*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam