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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • emmaesq@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: eannan1@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:20:44 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Cervantes / Family


BARR ANNAN & ASSOCIATES ESQ
FROM THE DESK OF ANNAN
Tel:23-803-7173-926
EMAIL: emmaesq@hotmail.com 
 
Dear Cervantes,
 
I am BARR. E ANNAN, I am the legal Representative to Eng.Michael Cervantes, a national of your country, who used to work with Construction Company in Accra Ghana. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.
 
On the 21st of April 2005 my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a fire outbreak in there residence. All of the family members unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet,to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in returning the fund valued at $16,000,000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS left behind by my client before it gets Confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Vault Company or Managers where this huge amount were Lodged.
 
The said Finance Company has issued me a notice to provide the relatives or families of the deceased or have the account confiscated within the next fourteen official working days.
 
For the fact that I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for years,but today am successful and happy to have find you, Also to present you as the family member to the deceased,since you have the same last name with my client,i will provide you with the vital documents which will enhance release to your order.
 
All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Please get in touch with me either through my Email: emmaesq@hotmail.com as soon as possible to enable me provide you with the vital documents and information.
 
Best regards,
 
BARR E. ANNAN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam