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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
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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.

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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "million us 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)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <shoughes1975@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 18:01:09 +0000
Subject: Read And Get Back To Me



Dear Partner,

My name is Sgt. Houghes. I am here in Iraq, I need your help in keeping the money that we moved from Ba'qubah in Iraq safe. We moved this money some months ago to a Security Company in Europe. You know the funds are legal and it is oil money.

During one of our missions here in Iraq, we found large quantities of jewelries, gold, diamond, precious, stones and cash worth of 93 Million US dollars concealed in metal boxes belonging to Saddam Hussien's family, we want to move the funds from Europe now to a secure place or location.

Can you provide that? The total amount is US$45.5 Million dollars in cash. This money is in cash and we want to move it to you as soon as possible. Mostly $100 dollar bill notes total of US$25 Million dollars and other denominations.
Your share for helping me will be 25% of the total money. Will you help?
I am still in Iraq and will be discharged soon but no one knows when this War will be over. I don't want to take any chances of loosing the funds. We are sharing everything 75/25. This is a legitimate transaction and I will want my share of the funds to be invested in any profitable venture you may think of.

If you are interested, I will provide you further details and instructions.
Can I trust you and will you help? Waiting for your urgent and positive response. Please send your full contact details so that I can reply you back ASAP.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Truly,

Sgt. Stephen Houghes.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam