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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • fundremitcen@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "kevinbugg_8 Gazeta.pl" <kevinbugg_8@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:56:23 -0700
Subject: RE:FINAL PAYMENT RELEASE.


RE:FINAL PAYMENT RELEASE.

Dear Winner

We Apologies, for the delay of your payment and all the Inconveniences and
Inflict that we might have indulge you through. However, we were having some
minor problems with our payment system,which is Inexplicable,and have held
us stranded and Indolent, not having the Aspiration to devote our 100%
Assiduity in accrediting foreign payments.

We apologies once again from the Records of outstanding winners due for
payment with {ONLINE CYBER PROMOTION}your name and particular was discovered
as next on the list of the outstanding winners who have not yet received
their payments.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square whole and can
be voguish for that your payment is being processed and will be released to
you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from our record in
our file, your outstanding winning payment is US$950.215.00(NINE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY THOUSAND,TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN DOLLARS).Payment will be made to you
in a certified bank draft or wire transfer into a nominated bank account of
your choice, as soon as you get in touched with.

Mr.Fred Kumar
E-mail: fundremitcen@yahoo.co.uk

Provide him with the following details, as this will enable him to process
and release of your cash prize without any delay.

Your Full Name:
Telephone and fax Numbers:
Residental Address:

Your urgent reply to Mr.Fred Kumar via e-mail: fundremitcen@yahoo.co.uk,
will effect the speedy release of your cash prize to you within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Kevin Bugg
Vice President.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam