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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:
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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:
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • koffirowlisw1@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Koffi Rowlis <koffikoffi7tk@msn.com>
Reply-To: <koffirowlisw1@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:37:35 +0000
Subject: From Mr. Koffi Rowlis.




From Mr. Koffi Rowlis.


private email:koffirowlisw1@yahoo.com.hk
Greetings,I have interest of investing in your country as well as seek your services in a private and confidential matter. I am a senior Auditor heading computing department here in our bank.On my routine inspection I discovered a dormant account that does not belong to anybody with a Balance of ($7.850 Million USD}.I write to seek your indulgence and assistance in transferring this fund to your country through legal means.I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice in your country for investment. At the conclusion of this transaction, you will be given 25% of the total amount, 75% will be for me.Let me know if you can handle it.RegardsMr.Koffi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam