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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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "there are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Sampson Kwame"<mrsampson.kwame00@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrsamsonkwame@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:12:50 -0000
Subject: GOOD DAY

>From Sampson Kwame

Dear Friend,

My name is Sampson Kwame I am the regional manager of Standard
chartered bank of Ghana tarkwa branch in the western region of
Ghana. I got your information when i was searching for an oversea
partner among other names. I write you this proposal in good faith; I
am 44 years old married with three lovely kids. I am a devoted
Christian and a man of peace.

I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and I,
as the regional manager of the Standard chartered bank it is my duty
to send in a financial report to my head office in the capital city
Accra at the end of each business year. On the course of the last year
2008 business report, I discovered that my branch in which I am the
manager made four million three hundred united state dollars (4.3m)usd
which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I
have placed this funds on what we call escrow call account with no
beneficiary.

As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this
money, so my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive this money
in your bank account and get 40% of the total funds as commission.
There are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank-to-bank
transfer, and all I need from you is to stand claim as the original
depositor of these funds who made the deposit with my branch so that
my head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account.
If you accept to work with me I will appreciate it very much. when i
hear from you, i will give you my full informations. Remember there is
no risk involved i promise.

Thank you and may the good lord bless you and your family.

I look forward to your positive response.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Sampson Kwame.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam