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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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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:
  • ",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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• 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.
  • mr_shingli00002@yahoo.com.tw (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:15:31 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS TRANSACTION!!!

Dear Recipient,
How are you today and business in your country? I am Shing Li, Bank
Manager of bank of Overseas,Taiwan. I would respectfully request
that you keep the contents of this mail confidential and respect
the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this
mail.
I contacted you independently of our investigation and no one is
informed of this communication. A British Oil consultant/contractor
with the Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation, Mr.Courtney Steven
made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit of $30,000,000.00 for twelve
calendar months and not too long Mr. Courtney Steven died from an
airplane crash. The bank immediately launched an investigation into
possible surviving next of kin to alert about the situation and also
to claim his estate. If you are familiar with private banking affairs,
those who patronize our services usually prefer anonymity, but also
some levels of detachment from conventional processes. In his
bio-data form, he listed no next of kin.

please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall
require your assistance to invest my share in your country. Upon
receiving your reply, I will then furnish you with a more comprehensive
detail of this transaction and what is required of you.
Please reply to my private Email: mr_shingli00002@yahoo.com.tw
Awaiting your urgent reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. SHING LI.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam