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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:
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • vivanpatt05@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Vivan Patt <vivanpatt05@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: vivanpatt2424@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:34:06 -0800 (PST)
Subject: My Dear


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: vivanpatt05@yahoo.com



- I am Vivan Patt, a Senior Branch Manager Union Bank Plc. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client Mrs. Karen Cole before they get confiscated or declared non serviceable by the Bank where these huge deposits were lodged, particularly the UNION BANK PLC Where the deceased had an account Valued at about($15 Million United States Dollars). The Head Office has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin Or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days. Please reply by indicating your interest so I will give you the guidelines. regards, Vivan Patt

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam