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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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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348059960862 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • compensationofficer88@yahoo.dk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Elizabeth Donald." <elizabeth@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <compensationofficer88@yahoo.dk>
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:33:44 -0600
Subject: COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE HEAD OFFICE


My Dear Friend,

I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting the fund transferred
to a Swiss Account with the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay who
is an international business man.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed, I
want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of
US$600,000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) I have
authorized the Finance House where I deposited the money to issue you
international certified bank draft cashable at your bank.
Presently I'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share of the
total sum.

Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring those funds despite the fact that it failed us some how. My
dear, I will like you to contact the CEO in charge of the finance house
for the collection of this international certified bank draft.

COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE HEAD OFFICE
CONTACT AGENT: Mr.James smith.
EMAIL:compensationofficer88@yahoo.dk
PHONE NUMBER:+234-805-996-0862

Ask him to send to you the total $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand US
Dollars) which I kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and
attempts to assist me in this matter. I appreciated your efforts at that
time very much, so feel free and get in touch with my secretary Mr.Jay
smith and instruct him where to send the amount to you.

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy after all the suffering at that time. At the moment, I am very busy
here because of the investment projects which I and the new partner are
having at hand. Remember that I had forwarded instruction to my secretary
on your behalf to receive that money, so get in touch with him and he will
send the amount to you without delay.

Finally, my sincere advice to you as a christian is that you should
endeavour to pay your tithe to a bible believing church when you get the
money share of the money with best regards.

Sincerely,
Mrs Elizabeth Donald.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam