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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "urgent business proposition" (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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • cmbperejose@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "infoweb@bsumail.net" <infoweb@bsumail.net>
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:34:45 +0000
Subject: SEEKING EXECUTOR OF LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.

Dear: Sir/Madam

I am Mr. OTERO PERE JOSE, an Attorney to late MR.ERDIL MUSTAFA.

I have an urgent business proposition for you involving the sum of Twenty Eight Million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$28,700,000.00) belonging to my late client MR.ERDIL MUSTAFA (a contractor) an Albanian who died along with his Wife and only daughter in the Madrid Bomb Blast of March 11, 2004.
.
However, I am searching for a trust worthy person or the relatives of the deceased regarding his deposit, as the holding financial institution wants him/her to come forward for the endorsement of the re-investment documents, hence I am seeking your assistance to present you as the next of kin to my late client, since he died with his wife and their only daughter. Although, I have agreed on the following sharing ratios: 35% for your assistance and 65% for me but this is still open for negotiation.

Kindly revert back to me urgently on your interest to lay claim of the deposit. You are to send me your complete Names, Telephone and Fax numbers, Present contact address, and Occupation for more information on how to release the inheritance sum via this email address: cmbperejose@gmail.com OR cmbperejose@aol.es

Regards,
Mr. Otero Pere Jose (Barrister).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam