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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • ",500,000" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "denge louis" <mrdenge9@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: louisdenge@live.com
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:16:15 +0100
Subject: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION


LOUIS DENGE
ACCRA-GHANA,
WEST AFRICA.

louisdenge@live.com

Dear friend,

My name is Mr.Louis Denge a political activist and consultant.

I am the treasurer of my party's executive committee on Financial matters
presently exiled in Ghana. My aim of contacting you is to crave your
indulgence to assist us in securing some funds abroad for safe keeping which
incidentally was kept to help us Finance the forth coming elections in my
Country.



Fortunately with my immediate assistance, and contact, we were able to
deposit the money in a security company vault in Ghana private goods pending
when the fund would be needed. The need to contact you arose from the fact
that the present government is cracking down on all oppositions, trying to
trace all the funds and properties owned by our members and party faithfuls.




However If they succeed in tracing these funds to us, they will seize it
thereby incapacitating our quality campaign plans. We wish to relocate this
fund in a foreigner's name urgently to avoid any trace.Therefore all I need
from you is an assurance that you can handle these amount valued
(US$19,500,000) confidentially.

I would want you to handle this proposal with utmost care and understanding
because our election is forth coming and any misfortune will affect us
adversely so your maximum cooperation will be most appreciated.You should
kindly respond through the above email address .

Yours sincerely,



Mr.LOUIS DENGE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam