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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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.
  • abbellss@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • ptjames004@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:20:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Thanks a lot


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: abbellss@yahoo.com



- Abbas Bello.Dear friend, Due to my tight schedules I could not contact you earlier before now. I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner. Presently I'm in London for an investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist mein transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how and I amsorry for what happened. Now contact my secretary in Lagos Nigeria his name is:Mr. James PetersEmail address: (ptjames004@o2.pl) Tell him to send you the cheque, a total sum of US$600.000.00 which I keptfor your compensation for all your past efforts and attempts to assist me in this transaction, which was applied in your name I appreciated your efforts at that time so much.Now get in contact with my secretary Mr. James Peters and instruct him where to send the cheque to you. Please do let me know immediately you receive the cheque for us to share the joy together after our past efforts at that time. At this moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which my new partner and I are having at hand.Finally, remember I have forwarded instruction to Mr.Peters on your behalf for him to send you your cheque. Best regards,Abbas Bello. 219 Brompton Road, London, SW3. UK

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam