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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Roland Johnson" <rolandjohnson83@livedoor.com>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 07:43:39 -0400
Subject: NOW CONTACT MY SECRETARY,


Hello my good friend.

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. You may not
understand why this mail came to you.But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded. I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Paraguay who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.


I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into
your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to
inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to
my new partner's account in Paraguay that was capable of assisting me in
this great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust
worthiness you shown during the course of the transaction. I want to
compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of US$900.000.00. I
have left a certified international bank draft for you worth of
USD$900,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world.


My dear friend I will like you to contact my secretary with Pastor Frank,on
his direct email address at[pastor_frank@yahoo.cn]for collection of your
bank draft. I authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you whenever you
ask him for it. At the moment,I'm very busy here because of the investment
projects, which I and the new partner are having at hand.Please I will like
you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my
heart,Also comply with Pastor Frank s directives so that he will send the
draft to you withoutanydelay.CONTACT:Pastor Frank.Email
address:pastor_frank@yahoo.cn <address%3Apastor_frank@yahoo.cn>,You are
required to furnish him with the below information to enable him deliver the
cheque to you,


1.FULL NAMES:______________________
2.ADDRESS:____________ __________
3.E-MAILADDRESS:_______________
4.TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________________


Hoping to hear from you.


Thanks and God bless you and your family.


MR Roland Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam