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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million us 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • ggeorgebrown_322@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: georgebrown_32@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:28:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD DAY


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Ggeorgebrown_322@yahoo.com.hk



- Hello,My name is Sgt George Brown.,an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq.I am in Iraq at the moment,I and my partner moved one of the boxes containing funds which we believe is belonging to Saddam Hussein in March 2003, the total fund in this box is$12,000,000.00 (Twelve million US dollars),this fund had been moved via a safe Diplomatic Courier Service to a secured security company,Click on thislink:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm Basically since we are working for the American government we cannot keep these funds,since we are three that are involved.This means that you will take 30 percent,I will take 30 percent, and my partner will take 30 percent. 10 percent will be kept aside for expenses.This business is confidential, and we plead that it should not be discussed with anyone.There is no risk whatsoever involved as we left this fund in the Security company without declaring it's contents for this period of time to make sure that the fund will be safe for transfer and investment.If you are interested I will send you the full details,my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and will assist us.kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your telephone/fax numbers for quick communication and also your contact details.I assure you that this transaction is risk free and its success is 100% guaranteed,Please help us to help you.Yours-in-service,Sgt George Brown

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam