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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
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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: <mlords@live.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 17:23:06 +0000
Subject: CONTACT DR.MASON LORDS OF THE OCEANIC BANK ATM CARD CENTRE



Dear friend,
Hello my good friend.
This message is coming to you as a result of the GoldExpress ATM Card which I have issued from my account to you after I successfully completed the transfer of the funds to my account. I could not have forgotten all your support and the cash you spent all those times. To fullfil my promise, I could not wire your share of the funds directly to your account as I have lost all your account information including your address, except your email which is still with me. I secured the below documents for the processing anddelivery of your ATM card to you:
UN FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE. MONEY LAUNDERING COMMISSION SEAL. I am leaving the country immediately, to start a new life after all the stressI went through to get paid.The agreement reached between us is 25% of the total sum, this I could not make up due to problems and expenditures encountered beforethe fund was finally paid.All I could give to you now is 20% which has beenloaded to the Gold Express ATM card in the value of US$2.4M.Contact my account officer in Oceanic Bank, Cotonou , Benin Republic foractivation information and delivery of your ATM card with the information below:
Full names:............................. Mean of identification:.................... Direct contact and delivery address:......... Direct contact telephone line:..................
You only need to contact him for the initial activation and final delivery toyou with the information below:Name: Dr Mason Lords Personal contact email (for non-banking clients)mlords@live.com
It is important you contact him immediately as the activation of the Gold Express ATM expires in eleven days time.You must activate it within this period or the credited funds will be re-deposited to my account as agreed.
Forever your friend, Chief Joseph n Eric
Note: Do disregard any email you get from any imposter or office claiming to be in possesion of your ATM CARD.You areadvised only to be in contact with DR. MASON LORDS of the OCEANIC BANK ATM CARD CENTRE, BENIN REPUBLIC who is the rightful person you are supposed to deal with in regards your ATM CARD payment.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam