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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.

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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:
  • "foreign remittance manager" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447031872264 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • frank.dona_mail@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OFFICE LONDON UK" <billmail@purcell.biz>
Reply-To: frank.dona_mail@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:42:44 -0800
Subject: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OFFICE LONDON UK.

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
122 BEVERLY COURT 982225
PMB 982225
LONDON UNITED KINGDOM
H. Q. D Zone 1
OUR REF: w.3522UM
Date:13th NOV, 2007.

Attention:

I am Dr Frank Dona, foreign remittance manager, western union money transfer
UNION london UK .i am being mandated to transfer the sum of $250,000.00
united states dollars to you which was returned to you from various african
financial crime busters authorities, as part of the money you were scammed
over the internet by some imposters who claimed to be government officials
residing in Nigeria and working as government officials. This imposter has
been arrested and his properties confiscated and sold. This fund was deposited
here in my office to transfer to you on getting a confirmation from you
that you are the true beneficiary of this fund.

You are requested not to waste time to get back to me via the email address
and mobile number : frank.dona_mail@yahoo.fr
mibile : +44-703-187-2264
As the MTCN pin has been allocated to this fund yet to be activated pending
on your response.

So I am looking specifically to hear from you as soon as possible.

Thank you and God bless

Dr Frank Dona
Foriegn Remitter.
Western Union Money Transfer,
LONDON UNITED KINGDOM.
MOBILE : +44-703-187-2264

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam