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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.

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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:
  • "million us dollars" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • joeben45@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "STEVEN YOUNG" <stevenyoung0019@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:36:39 +0200
Subject: Dearest Friend,


* Dearest Friend,*

*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 $1,2 MILLION US DOLLARS from him:*

*NAME:Mr JOE BENARD
EMAIL: ( **joeben45@hotmail.fr* <joeben45@hotmail.fr>* )*

*Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information:
Your full name_________________________
Your address__________________________
Your country___________________________
Your age______________________________
Your occupation________________________
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 is you. Ask
him to send you the total sum of ($1.200,000.00 )USD CASHIER'S CHEQUE ,which
I kept for you. Note also that I will not be reached by email or phone for
now because I am currently away in Japan for investment purpose with my
share and I will be busy till about six months time or a year.*

*Best regards,
Dr, STEVEN YOUNG*

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam