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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:
  • "trunk box" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: patrick_dickson2008@hotmail.fr
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:54:23 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My name is Patrick Dickson



Dear,

My name is Patrick Dickson, the son of Mr. Awanga Dickson.  My late father was the secretary of our energy ministry. In the month of March 2007, he was killed by the members of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) while on a visit in Dafur. They accused him of holding an important post in a government that they are trying to oust. They also asked him to become one of their financiers which he refused.

As the secretary of our energy ministry, he overseas all oil contracts mainly to the Chinese who control our oil exploration.He made the sum of USD5,7million (Five million, seven hundred dollars) in cash after awarding and completing 17 major contracts with big time international companies who are into the oil business.

We secretly contracted a foreign diplomat to deliver the fund packed in a trunk box in Europe. I accompanied the diplomat. We deposited the fund in a bonded warehouse with my name as the depositor and any foreign business partner of my choice as the beneficiary.

The choice for Europe was due to their rapid economic growth coupled with the scrutinization of funds from Africa by the western world. We chose to make the deposit in Europe because we feel it will be convenient enough for us to retrieve it without hassles.

After the death of my father in March 2007, I decided to leave Sudan because of the political problems there to seek for a foreigner to assist me invest in the maritime/shipping industry. It has always being my dream to invest in the shipping business.

I would like you to assist me in the following areas: to retrieve the fund, nominate an account where it would be transferred into and invest it. It will be my pleasure to be a partner in your business. The retrieval of the fund will be concluded with 7 working days according to the officials of the bonded warehouse.

Your urgent response is highly awaited.

Best regards,
Sincerely.
Mr. Patrick Dickson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam