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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)
  • "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.
  • mrkikiroymond100@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "WILLIAMS RICHARD" <williamsrichard55@ig.com.br>
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:18:47 -0500
Subject: TRY YOUR BEST TO UPDATE HIM.


Dear Friend,


This is to thank you for your effort.I
understand that your handswere tied.Not to
worry. I have succeeded,the money has been
transfered into the account provided by a newly
found friend of mine in Australia.

To compensate for your past assistance and
commitments,i have dropped an International
Certifie Bank Draft of $1.200.000.00 for you.

I am in Australia with my family presently.I do
intend to establish some business concerns
here,and possibly buy some properties.Contact my
Secretary in Benin-Republic Mr.Kiki
on(mrkikiroymond100@yahoo.fr) Forward my mail to
him,then ask him to send the cheque to you.

NB: NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS
YOU WILL SEND TO MY
SECRETARY.
(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE
WITH FAX IF ANY.
(4) YOUR ID EITHER INTERNATIONAL PAS-PORT OR
DRIVING LINCES .

TRY YOUR BEST TO UPDATE HIM.

Regards,
Williams Richard.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam