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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:
  • "million 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)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "williams byrem" <williamsbyrem8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: williamsbyrem2001@ymail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:40:16 +0000
Subject: Confidential And Trust.


*Confidential And Trust.*
**
* I am Mr Williams Byrem, A staff of one of the
commercial bank in COTE D'IVOIRE. I have a very confidential and urgent
financial notification for you. A contract file worth US$7.5 Million
Dollars with the name has been noticed lying waste in our contract and
account department. As one of our international remittance director. *
**
*As one of our international remittance director, I am obliged to notify
you, Now (being a foreigner),I want this money to be paid into your account
for us to share 50/50, all i need from you is honest and you will promise me
that you will not run away with this money. If this proposal is acceptable
by you, do not take undue advantage of the trust we have bestowed in you,*
*
NB: Please if you are interested with the deal, kindly respond back with
your full name and address,**fax/phone numbers, to enable us proceed
immediately without any delay because is a deal i want this money to
transfer into your bank account for too of us.*
*I await your earliest response. Thanks,
I require you treat this letter with the utmost
urgency.
Best Regards
From Mr Williams Byrem.*
**
*1. NAME IN FULL...
2. ADDRESS....
3. NATIONALITY......
4. AGE....
5. SEX....
6. OCCUPATION...
7. MARITAL STATUS.....
8. PHONE.....
9. FAX:.....*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam