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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "dear friend" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • mr_johnpaul2007@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "maxwelledward2312 Gazeta.pl" <miss_angelaokafor@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mr_johnpaul2008@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:39:08 -0800
Subject: Dear Friend


*

Dear Friend

It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our
business transaction. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very
much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds, without
any positive outcome.

I am happy to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the
funds($35,000,000.00) with the help of a new partner from South America Mr.
Alfredo Gomez Castillo.

Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady
Accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), and she
rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea and
everything worked out successfully.

In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds, I
have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1.2,000,000.00(One Million
United States Dollars) in a Cashier's cheque.


This is from my own share. I did this simply to show appreciation to you for
your kind support and assistance even though we could not succeed due to
some unforseen circumstances and reason but it has been a gate way to my
success. Presently, I am in South Korea for investment project with my own
share under the advice of my partner.

Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring this funds despite the fact that we could not succeed. I will
be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received your
share or not. In the light of the above, you are therefore,

to contact my personal assistant Mr.john paul on my former telephone line
and do send him your contact address where you want the cheque to be sent to
you.

Stated below is his contact informations.

Mr.John Paul

E_mail mr_johnpaul2007@hotmail.com<mip://0fdcab70/ts.cgi?tsscript=compose&to=mr_johnpaul2007@hotmail.com>

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy/happiness together after all the suffering at that time. In the moment,
I am very busy here in capital city of South Korea because of the investment
projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel free to
get in touch with him to send the cheque to you without any delay.

With My Best Regards,

Mr Edward Maxwell


*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam