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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "the consignment" (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 are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Davis Roy." <grffnrchrd28@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davr966@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 05:49:07 -0800
Subject: FUND RELEASE NOTIFICATION.


Attention: Plsease,

Fund Release Approval.

Sequel to the findings by the United Kingdom customs, at the Gatwick
international airport(London) a few years back. That the
consignment/inheritance deposited with the Royallink Security U.K, for safe
keeping by, late Engineer William, which was labeled as diplomatic family
valuables, were contained physical cash, united states dollar bills in the
amount of $11.5million. This led to the arrest of His representative
attorney(Barr. Griffin Richards) for money laundry and illegal trafficking
of funds.

The United Kingdom Government has approved and agreed to release the fund to
the immediate family of the late engineer, due to our continuous
interference. We have tried severally to get in touch with the attorney, but
all efforts has been to no avail.

Note that this is a confidential email away from my office to inform you
secretly of the current status of the fund and to present you as the heir to
the late engineer, since you have the same surname. All i need from you is
to be genuine and to be honest with me during the proceed of the transaction
and all will go down smoothly.

There are practically no risks involved. The transaction will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any illegalities.
It will be simply a bank to bank transfer, and all I need from you is to
stand claim as the heir to the fund since my office can order the transfer
to your designated bank account under a few working days.

Get back to me immediately, and let me know if you are ready to work out
this transaction with me, and ready to follow the procedure i will advice
you to apply, relating to securing the funds as soon as possible.

Yours Faithfully,

Davis Roy.
(Information department)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam