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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:
  • "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "claims director" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Pitts Mark (Blue Tie Lottery)" <claims.agent@bluetielottery.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 03:59:46 -0700
Subject: Claiming Your Prize (Pitts Mark : Blue Tie International)


Date: 02/08/2007 **

FROM: THE DESK OF THE CLAIMS DIRECTOR,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS / PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: BLUETIE/315116127/27
BATCH: 15/623/UK.
Registered Lottery No. 22094

Fr Evony Richzer

I got your mail, and don't see any problem for you to claim your prize.

Right from the first day, every thing has been trouble some to you. My Job
is to put you thought in what you don't understand.

As i have explained to you ones in my mail to you, there are two options for
you to claim your prize.

Option A; BANK TO BANK TRANSFER:
This involves transferring the total sum of $450, 000.00 into your
designated Bank Account.

Option B; CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL BANK DRAFT (Cheque):
CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL BANK DRAFT: This option involves the transfer of the
total sum of £450, 000.00 through a certified INTERNATIONAL BANK DRAFT. This
will be delivered to your address via courier service and you are to cash
your cheque in your bank upon receipt of delivery.

Blue Tie International should have given you a winner's cheque from the
start, but this fund need to be deposited in an account, this which we did
with Barclays Bank.

If you contact Barclays bank now, you are to inform them that you want the
option two; your international certified bank draft now will be forwarded to
D.H.L.

You will be able to cash out this cheque in any bank there in Germany.

Now what you have to do is contact Barclays Bank with your full postal
address and your personal information.

Remember that Barclays bank will ask for your:

1) Power of Attorney.
2) Winners Certificate

This was why I ask you to forward your personal information to me so that
the company lawyer will process your Power Of Attorney.

Note: We are not still in possession of your Drivers License

Barclays Bank will contact you; you have to make ready this information.

Hope this will help.

Regards
Pitts Mark

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam