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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr James Kirkman"<mrjames.kirkman@radiance-pvt.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 22:41:39 +0100
Subject: ****SPAM(13.4)**** Re.Urgent Proposal


Spam detection software, running on the system "portal.bk-werne.de", has
identified this incoming email as possible spam. The original message
has been attached to this so you can view it (if it isn't spam) or label
similar future email. If you have any questions, see
postmaster for details.

Content preview: Attn: My name is James,i am originally from ohio,but i work
with a Bank in the UK,i am the head of department in my bank,i am contacting
you regarding a dormant account i discovered in my bank where i work,which
account owner died about 6years ago, leaving behind total worth of 9.5 Million
USD with no next of kin,and i am trying to use my opportunity as the head
of the department,together with just one of my partner,to have the funds
moved out of the account,by presenting someone capable as the next of kin,of
which every necessary details will be provided,i am currently in the United
states right now,i live in dayton,ohio and i will be going back to the Uk
to resume work next weekend,i actually had a off from work. [...]

Content analysis details: (13.4 points, 4.0 required)

pts rule name description
---- ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------
-1.4 ALL_TRUSTED Passed through trusted hosts only via SMTP
2.4 URG_BIZ BODY: Contains urgent matter
2.4 MILLION_USD BODY: Talks about millions of dollars
0.8 MSOE_MID_WRONG_CASE MSOE_MID_WRONG_CASE
2.6 ADVANCE_FEE_2 Appears to be advance fee fraud (Nigerian 419)
2.4 ADVANCE_FEE_3 Appears to be advance fee fraud (Nigerian 419)
4.2 FORGED_MUA_OUTLOOK Forged mail pretending to be from MS Outlook

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam