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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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • gray_thompson001@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <gray_thompson00@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:14:12 +0000
Subject: From Mr. Gray Thompson.



From Mr. Gray Thompson.P O Box 10720217 StrandLondon WC2R 1AP Re: My Request.My heart warm greetings to you.I am Mr. Gray Thompson, I Have a very important request that make me to contact you, I decided to reach you directly to solicit your assistance and Guidelines in making a business investment and transfer of £12.5M GBP (Twelve Million Five Hundred thousand British Pounds Sterling only) into your country within the Next few days. The funds are legitimate and has all confirm able legal documents to back this payment in your name legitimately.I presently work as a Account Director, and am in charge with all Offshore Mortgage & Services of our overseas brokers/investors with Natwest Bank Plc, London. But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this profitable Business investment until I get your response by mail. Please take out a moment of your very busy Schedule today to respond back if you are interested. please send your email response and direct telephone numbers via my email to me through my email for an initial confidential communication; gray_thompson001@yahoo.com.hk. so that I will give you further explanation on source of funds and details of funds transfer, I wish for utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction.Awaiting your kind reply soon.Best RegardsMr. Gray Thompsom.Account Director (Mr)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam