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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
  
  
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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)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "ikennanwazi0000000 Gazeta.pl" <ikennanwazi0000000@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:41:27 -0700
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT


Dear Friend,


I am Dr Iyke Nna and I am very happy to inform you about my success in
getting that fund transferred. Now I want you to contact my secretary on his
email address below and receive your compensation of $1.2m from him:


NAME:Joseph Robert


EMAIL:(joseph_robert@live.ca)


Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information:


Your full name_________________________
Your address__________________________
Your country___________________________
Your Phone number______________________


Note that if you did not send him the above information complete, he will
not release the cheque to you because he has to be sure that it isyou. Ask
him to send you the total sum of ($1.2m )USD CASHIER'S CHEQUE which I kept
for you. Note also that I will not be reached by email orphone for now
because I am currently away in Japan for investment purpose with my share
and I will be busy till about six months.


Best regards,


IKenna Nwamzi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam