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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
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• 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: kriss bello <b.kri15@msn.com>
Reply-To: <krissbelo@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 07:37:09 +0000
Subject: for your past efforts



Dear friend, It is my pleasure to contact you once again after our unsuccessful attempt on our business transaction. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in transferring the funds without any positive outcome.I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from Paupa New Guinea (PNG) Mrs.Dixon Guria. Everything was perfectly done because we struck a deal with one of the Ladies Accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance here in Benin Repulic (FMF), who rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully.In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $850,000 (Eight Hundred and fifty Thousand United States Dollars) in certified bank cheque which can be collected at any bank of choice. This is from my own share. I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind support and assistance even though we could not succeed due to negative information which you received at the time about the transaction. Presently, I am in London for investment projects with my own share on the advice of my partner.Meanwhile, I didn’t forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring this fund despite the fact that we could not succeed. I will be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received your compensation or not. In the light of the above, you are therefore, to contact my Secretary, Mrs.Sophia Christian and do send her your contact address where you want the Draft to be sent to you. Her e-mail address is: mrssophiac@yahoo.com.hkPlease do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the joy together after all the suffering at that time. In the moment, I am very busy here London because of the investment projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel free to get in touch with her to send the Draft to you without any delay.With My Best Regards, Kriss Bello

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam