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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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Hermann" <hanannsikro@yahoo.ca> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:20:23 +0200
Subject: Reply

STRICTLY FOR YOU AND CONFIDENTIAL.

ATTN: PLEASE


I Have sent this mail to you once and did not receive any reply, I would be grateful if you can reply letting me know your decission, wether favourable or not.
I am Dr. Hermann Sikora of Raiffeisen Landes Bank of AUSTRIA . I have a Business Proposition for You Which I believe, shall Be Beneficial to You and me.
I would like you to know that this Mail is not Junk, Illusion or fraudlent. As I am aware of simillar letters or mails that are being spread around the world by fraud stars, which I received as well.

Between June 1991 to September 1999, Mr. Paul Anderson An American Civil Engineer With The Oberösterreich Institute Of Steel Construction, (Voest-Alpine) Deposited the Sum Of $34.2 million US dollars with our bank on an annaul fixed deposit basis. naming his Son Mr. Greg Anderson as the Next Of Kin / Beneficiary to the account. When the one year expired, Mr. Paul Anderson was no where to be found or heard. His son who is the beneficiary, was not heard from either. So the money was rolled over and since then it has been rolling over.

As it is my duty to contact the beneficiary where the Account holder can not be reached, I Sent Mails, to his Address as indicated in our records with No Response. I had no choice than to contact
(DYDRO ALUMINIUM) where he is working according to our files, but was surprised to hear that he and his son died in a car accident on the 10th of December 1999 on their way to a Resort in Durban for the weekend. May their souls rest in Peace.

Oberösterreich [Austria] law states that, In a case like this, The money should be turned over to Government account, which i am not in favour of as any person in Government office may switch the money to his personal account and use it for himself, which has always been the case.
My Proposal is that we collaborate and have this money invested in a profitable business, with you having 40% share, myself and my collegues shall have the remaining 60%.

Where you are interested and ready, kindly contact me immediately, as time is of essence.

Sincerely.

Dr. Hermann Sikora
Raiffeisen Landes
Bank of AUSTRIA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam