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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • gideon.kelvin_kerkula@surfy.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: yengeni_01@mchsi.com (Kevin Gideon kerkula)
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:09:31 +0000
Subject: Soliciting Your Assistance

Dear Friend,

My name is Gideon Kelvin Kerkula a south African citizen . I am the brother Mr
Tony Kerkula. was the chairman of parliament's in south Africa and the former
chief whip of the ruling political party ANC .My Brother (MR. T. Kerkula),
has as a result of trust and Confidence he has mandated that I search for a
Reliable and trustworthy foreign partner, who will help receive some funds,
which we have in cash Totalling US$20m (Twenty Million United States Dollars
Only) into a personal, company or any Reliable foreign bank account for safe
keeping for a Short period of time,since our family bank accounts Within and
outside the country have all been Frozen by the authorities.

However I have managed to push the money abroad and it is presently in the
custody of a financial company in Ghana. I hope you are trustworthy and will
not sit on the money when you receive it. The total sum will beshared as
follows: 20% for you , 75% For my family ,and then the remaining 5% will be
used for the reimbursement of all the expenses we will incurre in the process
of this transaction like your flight ticket to Ghana where you will take
delivery of the funds , Your hotel accommodation , etc.There is no risk
involved what so ever on this transaction, these funds will be received in
your favor upon proper application. If you are interested in this
business,please urgently contact me on the following e-mail address.
gideon.kelvin_kerkula@surfy.net

Please endeavor to keep this business confidential.
I will be most grateful if you can come forward and help me.
Thanks Best regards
Mr.Gideon Kelvin Kerkula

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam