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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• 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.
  • +447045773547 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "joseph benjamin" <jos_ben16@msn.com>
Reply-To: jo_ben100@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:29:31 +0000
Subject: INVESTMENT FUDS TRANSFER


DEAR FRIEND

I WRITE TO REQUEST FOR YOUR HONEST LEGITIMATE ASSISTANCE IN THIS
TRANSACTION. MY NAME IS HON.JOESPH BENJAMIN, A PhD HOLDER IN
BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION.

I WORK WITH MY COUNTRY'S HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE HERE IN LONDON AS THE SENIOR
SPECIAL ASSISTANT.I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE SUM OF $50.5M USD. (FIFTY
MILLION,FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) FOR INVESTMENT.

I NEED YOUR QUICK ASSISTANCE AS A LEGITIMATE FOREIGNER TO STAND AS THE
BENEFICIARY/RECEIVER OF THE FUND INTO YOUR COMPANY OR PRIVATE ACCOUNT.

PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAIL FOR FURTHER
DETAILS; PHONE; +447045773547.

YOURS SINCERELY,
HON.JOSEPH BENJAMIN (Ph.D)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam