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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "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 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.
  • aoalexojukwu378@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "AUSTIN THOMAS" <austinthomas36@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 15:22:26 +0100
Subject: CONTACT ALEX FOR YOUR COMPASATION


*Dear friend, *

*This is to inform you about my success in etting the money moved und erthe
co-operation of a new partner from London. Presently, I'm in audi arabia for
the purpose of investing my own share of the money.Meanwhile I didn't forget
your past efforts and attempts in assisting me to move the fund evendo we
were not successful.Now contact my account officerin Benin-Republic on the
underlisted contact immediately: *

*Name: Mr. Alex Ojukwu
Email: (**aoalexojukwu378@gmail.com* <aoalexojukwu378@gmail.com>*) *

*Ask him to send you a cheque of the sum of (US$1,200,000.00) One Million
two hundred housand dollars. which I kept for you as compensation for all
your past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.I appreciated
your efforts at that time so much. while contacting Mr.AlexOjukwu,Please
include and give him instructions on where to send the money to you. I will
advise you to contact him with: *

*NAME:...............
AGE:................
SEX:................
ADDRESS:............
EMAIL:..............
PHONE:..............
OCCUPATION:.........
COMPANY:............
COUNTRY:............ *

*Best regards,
Mr Austin Thomas *

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam