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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Jackson Johnson" <jackjohn24@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:03:22 +0100
Subject: Please be my beneficiary in your country


*Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a displaced citizen of Sierra Leone seeking asylum, I want you to
receive and invest my inherited $7.3Million dollars in your Account in your
country,So that we can invest in Estate development/charity organizations
overseas to save these funds.
This was money my father made from sale of diamonds when he was the Head of
Local miners in Sierra Leone.
This money is with a financial security company that is waiting for me to
introduce a beneficiary of my interest. Kindly send me your private
number/full details to reach you for more details.
yours truly,
Jacksjon Johnson
Tel;+233243943905 (Call me anytime)*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam