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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:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Howard" <michael.howard@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: michael.99howard9@googlemail.com
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 22:42:46 +0800
Subject: ATTENTION...........


Atten,

This proposal might come to you as a surprise but believe me that it is
transparent business.

My name is Mr.Michael Howard. and I work in the delievery department in a
security company here in London. I feel quite safe dealing with you in this
important Business.

I was on a routine inspection when I dscovered a deposit account with a BAL.
Of (THIRTY
SIX MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE THOUSAND POUNDS STERLINGS] TRANSFER
OF

36,759,000.00 MILLION POUNDS TO YOUR ACCOUNT.)I later learnt on further
discreet investigation that the depositor of the funds has

passed away (dead) leaving no beneficiary to the deposit. The company will
delieve this money to anyone with legal claims because the former

depositor is a foreigner. I am certainly sure that nobody will come again
for the claim of this money.We claim this money with legal claims to the
deposit Holder, therefore I need your cooperation in this transaction.

I will provide all necessary information needed in order to claim this
money, Hoping in God that you will never let me down now and in
future.o.k!.Late Rafik Bahaa Edine Hariri (November 1, 1944 - February
14,2005), married to Nazek Audi Hariri, was a Lebanese self-made billionaire
and business tycoon, and was five times Prime Minister of Lebanon (1992-1998
and 2000-2004) before his last resignation from office on October

20, 2004.

The late Rafik Hariri died on February 14, 2005 when explosives equivalent
to around 300 kg of C4 were detonated as his motorcade drove past the Saint
George Hotel in the Lebanese capital, for more information please log on to
(http://www.hariri.info)

We WANT TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY INTO A SAFE FOREIGN ACCOUNT ABROAD BUT I
DON'T KNOW ANY FOREIGNER WHOM I CAN TRUST, I KNOW THAT THIS MESSAGE WILL
COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OURSELVES BEFORE, BUT BE SURE HAT
IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS.

I CONTACT YOU BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL NOT LET ME DOWN ONCE THE FUND GOES
YOU.

Let me hear from you URGENTLY by Email.

Best Regards
Mr.Michael Howard.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam