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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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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • "million united states dollars" (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)
  • "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: william abati <williamabati1@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:31:04 +0530 (IST)
Subject: THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUNDS


THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUNDS
Good Day,
I am MR IDRIS.KUTI. chairman foreign payment department
i have been mandated to inform you about the recent
development as regards to your over-due payment,  after our
board meeting. Your case was mentioned and we have
agreed to pay you without any further delay, so i
 would like you to employ transperency
and honesty in this regards because aiding and
abeting will only keep your payment pending.
However,  i will like you to confirm the following to avoid any
mistake or wrong transfer of the total fund  $5.8
million United States Dollars, The Requested Information is to ensure that no
mistake or error is made and it should be forwarded
in the manner stated below:
Your Full Name: ___________________________
Your Complete Address:______________________________
Your banking details: ____________________________
Name of City of Residence: ____________________
Date of Birth (Day/Month/Year):____________________
Direct Telephone Number:
____________________________
Mobile
Number:___________________________________
Fax Number:___________________________________
TREAT AS UTMOST URGENCY
 


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam