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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "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.
  • luisa_estrada11@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Cox_Jim <cox_jim@asdk12.org>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:44:56 -0900
Subject: READ CAREFULLY PLEASE




Dear Friend,
Though this approach appears desperate, difficulties encountered in efforts to establish a business abroad necessitate this search for someone
to assist me in securing and investing the sum of USD30,00,000 (Thirty million dollars) deposited in my name abroad.
By way of summarized profile of myself, I am Dr Luisa Estrada, a 70 years old lady and the wife of Joseph Ejercito Estrada(former head of state and President of Philippines) From past experiences, many people I had regarded as close friends and relatives has capitalize on my family's travail to run away with my money. In order to avert this negative development, I in conjunction with my son now seek your permission to allow us do a CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP/REASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT of stated funds from the deposit company to your name, so that the funds (US$30million)would be released to you as the BENEFICIARY (on behalf of me and my family).Our family trustee have secretly protected the deposit, you are to assist us to
lay claims of the funds with the aid of all legal documents that will be forwarded to you as time goes on. If you agree to help, we shall discuss the disbursement ratio in our next correspondence after we have been acquainted.
I have decided to offer 25% of the above sum to anyone who assists us to secure this funds overseas or 20% share for possible help on investing in any reliable venture.
No doubt this proposal will make you apprehensive, please I employ you to observe utmost confidentiality and rest assured that this transaction wouldbe most profitable for both of us.PLEASE INDICATE YOUR INTEREST BY RESPONDING TO MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS
luisa_estrada11@yahoo.com.hk
WITH THE FOLLOWING INFO.
Your full name and address
Your telephone/fax numbers.
Once I receive this information, my son will prepare the necessary documents that will put you in place as the new owner of the funds. The money will then be released to your custody by the Deposit Company.
Awaiting your swift response.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Mrs Luisa Estrada.
Email: luisa_estrada11@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam