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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:
  • ",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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +447045701397 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Walters Austin" <austinwalters3@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: austin_walter@live.com
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 16:34:47 +0200
Subject: Your Interest Is Required!!!!


Credit Suisse Finance London,
United Kingdom E14 4QR
FROM DESK OF AUDITOR GENERAL
PHONE: +447045701397
DATE: 4th June 2008


Greetings,


I know this message will come to you in an odd manner; Bear with me and
understand my predicaments in contacting you through this means.
Nevertheless, I am Austin Walters, a SENIOR PARTNER with CREDIT SUISSE
FINANCE LONDON. I hope that you will not expose or betray this trust and
confidence that I am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our
both families. I am the ACCOUNT MANAGER to our late customer, a national of
your country, who has the same last name with you; unfortunately our late
customer lost his life on the 9th of May 2002. Note, our late customer died
INTESTATE.

I have contacted you based on the fact that you both bear the same last name
and secondly, you both are of the same nationality. Subsequently, I was
mandated to ascertain your consent in repatriating the sum of £8,000,000
(Eight Million Great British Pounds Sterling) left behind by our late
customer to your country within 14 banking days before they get confiscated.

Credit Suisse Finance has mandated me to provide the heir to my late
customer deposited funds left behind in their possession; since I have been
unsuccessful in locating our late customer's relatives, I now seek your
consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased.

I will most acknowledge your prompt response as that would enable us to
start something immediately, as to enable me give you further briefing on my
intention.

Anticipate your urgent response.
Regards,
Austin Walters

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam