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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22998826300 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:01:40 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY Mr JAMES DON FOR YOUR COMPENSATION


Dear Friend,

I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund trans=
ferred. Now I want you to contact my secretary and ask him for a cheque w=
orth of USD$1.2 Million which I kept for you as a compensation of your pa=
st assistance to me. His contact details is below;

Name: Mr James Don
Email: james_don_88@live.fr=C2=A0=20
Phone/ +229-9882-6300
Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information:

Your full name_________________________
Your address__________________________
Your country___________________________
Your age______________________________
Your occupation________________________
Your Phone number______________________
Note that if you did not send him the above information complete,

he will not release the cheque to you because he has to be sure that it i=
s you. Note also that I will not be reached by email or phone at this mom=
ent because I am currently in London for investment trip with my share.

Regards,
Dr Kelly Light

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam