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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cheque " (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.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2348036621091 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: John Anderson <barr_anthGony@live.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: barr_anthony@live.com
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:03:52 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: GOOG DAY

Dear Friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition.

I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.

But I want to inform you that I have successfully tansferred the fund out of my bank to someone else account who was capable of assisting me in this great venture through the help of the diplomat i told you about,Due to your effort,sincerity,courage and trustworthiness? you
showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $950,000USD.I have authorized my new lawyer who is now also my legal adviser toissue you international certified bank cheque cashable at your bank.My dear friend I will like you to contact the lawyer for the collection of this international certified bank cheque.

The name and contact addressof the lawyer is as follows.
HONOURABLE LAW CHAMBERS
CONTACT PERSON ;Barrister Anthony Brown (SAN)
Email:barr_anthony@live.com
PHONE NUMBER:+234 8036621091

At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I and my new partner are having at hand in ParisFrance.

Finally,remember that I have forwarded instruction to the Lawyer on your behalf to send the bank cheque to you as soon as you contact him without delay.

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Your Brother

John Anderson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam