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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
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• 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:

• 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.
  • ogbuefi_oyoyo89@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "KENNETH WILLSON" <kennethwillson1@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 18:03:54 +0200
Subject: Your Past Commitments,


My Dear Friend,

This is to thank you for your effort.I understand that your hands were
tried.But not to worry.I have succeeded,the fund has been transfered into
the account provided by a newly found friend of mine in Osaka Japan,

To compensate you for your past assistance and commitments,i have droped an
International Certifie Bank Draft cheque worth of $550,000,00 dollars ,

I am in Japan with my family presently.I do intend to establish some
business concerns here,and possible bought some properties,Now contact my
personal Secretary in Benin-Republic,
Ogbuefi Oyoyo on his email below (ogbuefi_oyoyo89@yahoo.fr ) and forword
your contact address below to him,then ask him to send the cheque to you,

Your full name::::::
Your address::::::::
Your phone number:::::
Your country name:::::

Take good care of your self.

Best Regards,
Kenneth Willson,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam