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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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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22997019402 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • mutawaali2@o2.pl

Fraud email example:

From: "Ali Mr.Mutawa" <mrmali2@nsk.biz>
Reply-To: mutawaali@live.com
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 16:23:03 +0200
Subject: CALL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION


*Dear Friend, *
**
*My name is MR.MUTAWA ALI, and I work in the International Operation
Department in a Bank here in Republique Du Benin.*
* *
*On a routine inspection I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a
Balance of $8.524 Musd (Eight Million,Five Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand
United States Dollars) on further discreet investigation, I also discovered
thata the account holder has long since passed away (dead) leaving no
beneficiary to the account. *
**
*The bank will approve this money to any foreigner because the former
operator of the account was a foreigner and from Sweden in particular and I
am certainly sure that he is dead, and nobody will come again for the claim
of this money. A foreigner can only claim this money with legal claims to
the account Holder, therefore I need your cooperation in this transaction.
*
**
*I will provide the necessary information needed in order to claim this
money, but you will need to open an account where this can be transferred.
If interested send your private Telephone No. And Fax number including full
details of the account to be used for the Deposit. I wish for utmost
confidentiality in handling this transaction as my job and the future of my
family would be jeopardized if it were breached.*
**
*I want to assure you that the transaction is without risk if due process is
followed accordingly. Finally,I will give you 40% for your corporation.
Contact immediately for more information through my private mail address:
mutawaali2@o2.pl or mutawaali@live.com *
**
*Sincerely,
MR.MUTAWA ALI.
E-Mail:mutawaali2@o2.pl or mutawaali@live.com *
*Phone;+229 97 01 94 02.
*
*CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this message is
confidential and may be legally privileged. The message is intended solely
for the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
notified that any use, dissemination, or reproduction is strictly prohibited
and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact
the sender by return e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam