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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
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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "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 next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mr.george_white@live.fr
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:28:00 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY


Accounting Officer
FROM THE DESK OF
George White
ECOBANK BENIN
EMAIL:mr.george_white@live.fr <EMAIL%3Amr.george_white@live.fr>

I am a senior Accountant in my Bank and Accounting officer to Mr.Raymond
Beck who was a contractor with the government of BENIN. On The 21st of
April 2001, my customer, his wife and their two children were involved in
auto-crash along the ever busy Tokpa High Way. All occupants of the vehicle
unfortunately lost their lives. Since then,the Board of Directors of my Bank
have made several enquires to their embassy to locate any of my customer's
extended relations but to no avail.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and Property left
behind by my client before they get Confiscated or declared unserviceable by
the bank where this Huge deposits of US$22M was lodged.

The Bank has published several Notice for the Next of Kin of the deceased to
apply for collection of this Funds or have the account confiscated within a
shot Period of time. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the
relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the
Next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this Account valued at
US$22 million dollars can be paid to you and Then you and me can share the
money,60% to me and 40% to you.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we
may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable this deal
through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law.Please get in
touch with my email and send to me your Telephone and fax numbers to enable
us further about this Transaction. Please reply this letter to my
alternative e-mail address for security
Purpose:mr.george_white@live.fr<Purpose%3Amr.george_white@live.fr>


Best regards,
George White(Ph.d)
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
ECOBANK BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam