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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!
  
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• 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +2348055664521 (Nigeria, 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.
  • mrprince_johnson1@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Steve Williams" <barr.stevewilliams@steve.org>
Reply-To: mr.prince_johnson1@live.com
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:03:15 +0900
Subject: Contact My Secretary For You Bank Draft!!!

Dear Friend

I am Barr. Steve Williams and I am very happy to inform you about my success In getting that fund transferred. Now I want you to contact my secretary on his Email address below and receive your compensation of $4,000,000.00 us dollars I sign it in bank draft for you.

Name: Mr. Prince Johnson
Email: mrprince_johnson1@hotmail.com
Email: mr.prince_johnson1@live.com
Phone number: +234-8055-664-521

Kindly forward to him the following below information’s:

Your full name_________________________
Your address__________________________
Your country___________________________
Your age______________________________
Your occupation________________________
Your Phone number______________________

Note that if you did not send him the above information complete, he will not release the draft to you because he has to be sure that it is you. Ask him to send you the total sum of ($4,000,000.00) USD CASHIER BANK DRAFT, which I kept for you. Note also that I will not be reached by email or phone for now because

I am currently away in London UK for investment purpose with my share and I Will be busy till about six month’s time or a year.

Best regards,

Barr. Steve Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam