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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 united states 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • felix.ude111@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Felix Ude <felix.ude111@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: felixude20@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:36:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM: MICHAEL GIBBS (TREAT WITH UTMOST RESPECT)


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: felix.ude111@yahoo.com



- My name is Mr. Michael Gibbs; an Account Officer with Intercontinental Bank Plc. At my disposal, I have an over-invoiced sum of $45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Million United States Dollars). This fund came into being as a result of an over-invoiced valued payment made to a foreign company (Dhangi Constructions Pvt Singapore) for the constructions and building of Warri International Airport, and after paying Dhangi Constructions Pvt their contract sum, there was a left over-invoiced valued at $45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Million United States Dollars) which can only be claim by a foreigner like you hence my reason for contacting you to assist me in making this claim. Note that this transaction is risk free, you do not need to entertain any fear or worries as all logistics and modalities of fund transfer has been mapped out by me as an insider of the bank. I have all the necessary back-up documentations that will facility the smooth transfer of the fund to your chosen account abroad.You will be entitled to 35% of the total value of this business, 60% will be mine as the initiator, while the balance of 5% will be set aside for any expenses which may be incur as the business progresses either from telephone calls or fax messages.Please endeavour to indicate your interest to collaborate with me with this transaction by sending me the relevant information that will aid the free flow of this business such as your private telephone and fax number(s).I look forward hearing you.Best regards,Michael Gibbs.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam