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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22993138652 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • notice.government@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • wester.union@list.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: wester.union@list.ru
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:50:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION AS URGENT AS FOR YOUR PAYMENT.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: notice.government@yahoo.com



- Attention My Dear:The owner of this Email,There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount of $800.000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file # KGU/8020182590, at the owner of this email address.This is to inform you that the presidency held meeting with director of ministry of finance on monday concerning your over due payment that has been delayed, all the conclusion is that you will be receiving your money through western union money transfer and the amount is $5,000 every day till your final payment . E-mail the director of finance, DR REMOND ODILI EMAIL( wester.union@list.ru ) Tell +229-93-138-652 to renew your file immediately to enable you pick this first $5,000,today you have started receiving your money now and everyday through western union money transfer this is the information, and remember that the amonut you will be receiveing everyday starting from today is $5000.00 per day. Do get back to him immediately you receive it to send you a!
nother $5,000 tomorrow,fill this information and send it to ministry of finance.(1) FULL NAME______(2) ADDRESS_______(3) COUNTRY________(4) PRIVATE TEL_______(5) PRIVATE FAX ________(5)YOUR FILE NO______ KGU/8020182590YOURS FAITHFULLY MR WILLIAM ROCK

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam