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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:

• 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)
  • ",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 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.
  • dp1@k.ro (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:06:41 +0100
Subject: Remittance


Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. Don Pedro, Treasury Manager of Standard Chartered Bank Group,
UK. Presently I need your help to transfer US$7,500,000:00 abandoned by a
customer of my bank that died so many years ago to your bank account.

Fund transfer will be on the pretext that you are his relative inheriting
this estate, for which we shall obtain approvals from relevant government
department to make everything legal. If you agree to assist me we shall
share this money when it reaches your bank account according to the
following ratio:
(a.) 30% for you.
(b.) 60% for me.
(c.) 10% for reimbursement of costs incurred by either you or me.

Bear in mind that my position and understanding of applicable procedures in
the bank will ensure hitch-free completion of this deal. To enable me
prepare and forward documents required from my branch by our headquarters
in your favour, send the following information immediately:
(1.) Full names and address
(2.) Telephone and fax numbers
(3.) Bank account details
(4.) Occupation and position
(5.) Age

While hoping that you will not betray me, I strongly urge you to keep all
information concerning this business strictly confidential. Please send your
reply to my alternate email (dp1@k.ro) for prompt access.

Mr. Don Pedro

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam