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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • ",500,000" (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.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447024058685 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2008 17:34:07 +0000
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU



Dear ,
I have not considered this medium to be the best manner to have approached you on this issue being that the internet has been greatly abused over the recent yearsMy name is Mr. Shane Dain, I am operations/finance officer of my Bank(Barclays Bank Plc London). I have been in charge of this department for years and to the best of my knowledge have discharged my duties with equity. I had a foreign customer who is deceased at this time for the past 8yrs, all the records is with me, but have funds that are dormant and unclaimed with the bank which accrued to £ 3,500,000.In the process of review of our customers accounts report by my department, I discovered that the customer is an Indian who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on 31st January 2000, hence I contacted you so that I can give you further briefing on my intention and how we can disburse the funds he left behind in his account with our bank.
I will most welcome your prompt response as it would enable us to start something immediately.You can contact me with my personal telephone number Tel:+44-702 405 8685 and email:shanedain@yahoo.comIf nothing is been done to withdraw this amount within Twenty one (21) banking days ,they will transfer the said funds to the treasury.This is why i seek your assistance in this transaction,i will offer you 35% of the Said Funds.Pls,reply as soon as possible to know whether you are interested or not.
Sincerely,
Mr. Shane Dain.shanedain@yahoo.comTel:+44-702 405 8685

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam