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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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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • ",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)
  • ",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)
  • "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • hmadu@mail.md (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Harry Madu" <hm1@mcomail.com>
Date: 28 Aug 2008 14:43:05 -0000
Subject: Money Transfer

Mr Harry Madu

Head Of Information Technology Department

Spring Bank Plc

Nigeria



Dear Friend,



I am a management staff of Spring Bank PLC, Nigeria. This email follows my discovery of an account that was last operated on 1998 with a balance of US$17.5 million . By provisions of operational banking rules and guidelines, an account that is not operated for straight 10 years ceases to exist as it will be forfeited to the federal treasury.



Since the 10 years deadline is just few months away I decided to see the account owner and draw his attention to this important banking provision. To this end I called at the residential address he provided, where I met a completely burnt down house. People I asked confirmed he lived in that house and was burnt to death with his entire family in a fire that started from cooking gas explosion.



Careful study of his banking records show that he did not fill in details of next of kin in portions provided. This money will therefore continue floating until it is due to be forfeited to the federal treasury.This situation however presents a rare opportunity for me to collaborate with someone with the same last name as the deceased and claim this money. For this reason I decided to seek your assistance and support so that we can share the money when it is released and remitted into your account according to the following ratio:



(1.) 40% for you (US$7,000,000:00)

(2.) 60% for me (US$10,500,000:00)



I have already worked out simple legal procedures which you shall facilitate for us to achieve this safely and effciently. To enable me start in earnest do confirm your acceptance of this.



Kind regards. (Please send your reply to: hmadu@mail.md)



Harry Madu

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam