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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:
  • "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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
• 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.
  • alexigos_022@yahoo.com
  • alexigoss_22@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:37:19 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Now_contact_my_associates_on_the_information_below!!!?=


Dearest friend,
Compliments of the day,
I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund transferred to Australia through the assistance of a new found client, but I cannot forget your past efforts and assistance to me. So contact my associates on the information below;
EMAIL ADDRESS: alexigos_022@yahoo.com or alexigoss_22@yahoo.fr
Name : John Osiege
Ask him to send to you the total sum of ($1.8 Million) One Million Eight hundred Thousand United States Dollars in an international Certified bank draft which I kept for your compensation, or you can discuss with him on how best to have send the money across to you. Forward my mail to him for confirmation and do send him with this information below for identifications and confirmations.

Your full names.............
Home address..................
With your Telephone number...............
Best Regards,
Dr. Jerry Otuh.


---------------------- ALICE N°1 de la RELATION CLIENT 2008*--------------------
Découvrez vite l'offre exclusive ALICE BOX! En cliquant ici http://abonnement.aliceadsl.fr Offre soumise à conditions.*Source : TNS SOFRES / BEARING POINT. Secteur Fournisseur d.Accès Internet

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam