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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • patckchaaann@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Patrick Chan <pchannk8@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <patckchaaann@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:10:36 -0800
Subject: Email me ASAP


MR. PATRICK CHAN.Email: (patckchaaann@yahoo.com.hk)Good DayI am Mr. Patrick Chan, Executive Director and C.F.O of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have a concealed business suggestion for you.Our client Gen. Samir Abi Rahman who was with the Iraqi forces and also businessman, made a fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch, several maturities notices was sent to him, before the war which began in 2003. Also after the war another notification was sent, and no response came from him. We later found out that the General along with his wife and only daughter had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.After more inquiry it was also discovered that this Gen. did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the expiration of 5 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against this scenery, my suggestion, I will like you as a foreigner to stand as next of kin to Gen. Samir Abi Rahman so that you will be able to receive his funds.I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. There is no risk involved at all in this matter, as we are going toadopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.Should you be interested, information required:Full names, private phone number, and current residential address, And I prefer you reach me on my private email address above after which I shall provide you with more details on this operation.Kind Regards,Mr. Patrick Chan.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam