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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.

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:
  • "money order " (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)
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "paul_baker_jack" <paul_baker_jack@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:07:07 -0600
Subject: PLS GET BACK TO ME ASAP


Hello,
My name is paul baker and I am an artist. I live in England,
withmy two kids, one dog and the love of my life. It is definitely a
fullhouse. I have been doing artwork since I was a child when I was in
Canada were I took interest in arts that gives me about 23 years of
experience.
I majored in art in high school and took a few college art courses. Most of my work is done in either pencil or airbrush mixed with colorpencils. I have recently added designing and creating
artwork on thecomputer. I have been selling my art for the last 4 to 5
years andhave had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in
magazines. Ihave sold in galleries, museums and to private collectors
from allaround the world. I am always facing serious difficulties when
itcomes to selling my art works to Americans; they are always offering
to pay with US POSTAL MONEY ORDER, CASHER CHEQUE, which is difficult
for me to cashhere in England.
I am looking for a representative in the states who will be workingfor me as a par time worker and I am
willing to pay for everytransaction, which wouldn't affect your
present state of work, someonewho would help me receive payments from
my customers in the states. Imean someone that is responsible and
reliable, because the cost ofcoming to the states and getting payments
is very expensive, I amworking on setting up a branch in the state,
and so for now I need arepresentative in the United States who will be
handling the paymentaspect.
These payments are in money order and they would come to you in yourname, so all you need do is cash themoney order deduct your
percentage and wire the rest back. But theproblem I have is trust.
But I have my way of getting anyone that gets away with our money; I
mean the FBI branch in Washington gets involved.
]
It wouldn't cost uany amount, u are to receive payments which will be
sent to u by FedExor USPS from my business partners, which would come
in form of a moneyorder then u are to cash it and send the cash to me
via western unionmoney transfer all western union charges will be
deducted from themoney. If you are interested, please get back to me
as soon as
possible.
REGARDS
paul baker

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam