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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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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.
  • cheng_v4@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Vincent Cheng" <kplusk@iol.cz>
Reply-To: cheng_v4@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:32:27 GMT
Subject: {Spam!}




Dear Friend,

I have a transaction of mutual benefits, which I would like to share with
you. It involves an amount of $24,500,000.00 (Twenty Four million Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars), in our Bank, which I like to acquire with your
help and you will be compensated adequately upon your readiness to proceed
with me.

After the successful transaction, we shall share in ratio of 40% for you and
60% for me. If you are interested in treating this business with utmost
confidentiality and trust, send your response to my personal
email address:(cheng_v4@yahoo.com.hk) Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Mr. Vincent Cheng

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam