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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
  (+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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • mr.michaeljgh@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Emmanuel Annan" <emmanueleannan3@me.by>
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:13:41 +0100
Subject: RE: Try to contact him today (For Your ATM-Card),


My Good Friend,



I have successfully completed the pending transaction and the Funds has been
released and transferred to Syria through the co-operation of a new partner
(Mr. Hassan Al-Hakim) from Syria. And I did not forget all your past efforts
in assisting me transferring the Funds despite that it failed us at that
time. Before I left Ghana to Syria, I left behind the sum of
(USD$1,500,000.00) dollars in my account with (ICB) International Commercial
Bank Ltd, Meridian Branch Accra-Ghana, which I have decided to use to
compensate you for all your past efforts and assistance.



You need to get in touch with (Mr. James Michael) a Financial Consultant
between the ICB Bank and their Consumer, He was the person who helped us
transferred the Funds to Syria. I have already issued an authorization
letter to him in your favour to empower him process an ICB ATM-Card which
you can withdraw through any ATM Machine Worldwide. The reason of
transferring money through ATM-Card is due to bulk Funds restrictions in
monetary police and the recent local restrictions by (IMF) International
Monetary Fund on African Banks and also to avoid the Bank inviting you to
Ghana in this issue. I would have used telegraphic wire transfer but the
ATM-Card system of transferring money is more convenient and reliable
because the Bank will load the Funds in the ATM-Card after which it will be
transferred to you by Courier Service.



All you need to do is to open up communication with (Mr. Michael) on
(+233-20-6522800) e-mail (mr.michaeljgh@gmail.com) to enable him program
your ATM-Card and transfer it to you with the Bank instructions that will
enable you activate and make withdrawals of your money in any Cash Machine
so that we can share our joy together after all the sufferings at that time.
However, I might not be contacting you soon because I and my Partner are
very busy with our investment projects now. Therefore, quickly establish
contact with him for his meditate action.



Take care and remain Blessed.



Yours Truly,

Mr. Emmanuel Annan.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam