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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:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • frank_ekene208@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "justice vinko" <justicevinko9@me.by>
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:42:11 +0200
Subject: Dear Friend


*Dear Friend*

*It is my pleasure to let you know about my success in getting those fund
transffered under the cooperation of a new partner from Greece.I didn't
forget your past efforts to assit me in transffering thosefunds.
Now contact my secretary Mr, FRANK EKENE? his email is
(**frank_ekene208@yahoo.fr* <frank_ekene208@yahoo.fr>*) *

*ask him to send you the total $1.2M certified bank draft which i raised for
your compensation .so feel free and get intouched with him and give him your
address where to send the draft.*

*Let me know immediately you receive it for us to share the joy.i'm very
busy here with investment projects which i am having at hand,finally,i left
instruction to the secretary on your behalf,so feel free to getintouch with
him.*

*Best regards,*


*DR justice vinko*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam