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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:
  • "transferred into your bank account" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • +447045752530 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: FIRST DIRECT BANK <firstdirect_bnk3@msn.com>
Reply-To: <robert_williamso3@walla.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 09:16:56 +0000
Subject: REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF
(US$22Million)


First Direct Bank, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ London, United Kingdom.Hot-Line: +447045752530

REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$22Million)
This is to notifying you about this said fund.
After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by the Nigeria Government in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of (US$22Million) of your claim that has been holding since is transferred into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with this Bank. We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by passing a lot of difficult to see to the release of your fund (US$22Million), which has been the handwork of some miscreant elements from that Country.
We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence from anywhere concerning your funds, you don't have to pass through any difficult to receive your fund, as you have meet up with the whole requirements.
We know your representatives in Nigeria or anywhere will advice you to still go ahead with them, which will be on your own risk.
Your (US$22Million) will reflect in your designated Bank account within three Bank working days.
Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund. Finally, you are advice to re-confirm these to us, your full name, your contact Address,Occupation,Age, Telephone for easy communication.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Robert Williams, Assistance Secretary, First Direct Bank, United Kingdom. Hot-Line: +447045752530

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam