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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • shoffitcalvin@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: shoffit calvin <shoffitcalvin64@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:23:40 +0000
Subject: PRIVATE BUSINESS PLACEMENT



DEAR FRIEND,
I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BASED IN LONDON, I HAVE BEEN IN MONEY MANAGEMENT FIELD IN ASIA SINCE 11 YEARS BUT NOW IN UNITED KINGDOM.

I HAVE A CLIENT WHO WANTS TO INVEST THE SUM OF US$15MILLION (FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) IN YOUR COUNTRY WHO IS A TOP POLITICIAN IN IRAQ AND NEVER WANT HIS NAME TO BE MENTIONED.

CAN YOU HANDLE SUCH A HUGE SUM OF INVESTMENT AND HELP US TO MOVE THIS MONEY TO YOUR COUNTRY THROUGH UN DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE CHANNEL?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED TO BE MY CLIENT'S PARTNER TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY, KINDLY RESPOND WITH YOUR FULL NAMES, ADDRESS, CONTACT NUMBERS AND OCCUPATION, FOR FURTHER DETAILS URGENTLY CONTACT ME VIA MY EMAIL ADDRESS: shoffitcalvin@hotmail.com

REGARDS,
DR. SHOFFIT CALVIN RICHARD

KINDLY ENSURE TO REPLY ME DIRECTLY TO MY PRIVATE E-MAIL SO THAT I CAN GET YOUR RESPONSE AS I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THIS ACCOUNT OUTSIDE LONDON: shoffitcalvin@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam