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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.

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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:
  • "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)
  • "contact me immediately" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Patricia Runs" <patruns24@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: patricaruns@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 22:36:14 +0100
Subject: From:Miss Patricia Runs


Greetings,

I hope this mail meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this
contact might seem to you as we have not meet personally or had any dealings
in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance
and immense benefit. I am Miss Patricia Runs, the Daughter of late Jacques
Runs, I wish to request for your assistance in an immediate transaction.

My late father was contractor and an Estate consultant before his death, on
his sick bed, he instructed me and my mother to look for a foreigner who
will assist us for an investment overseas. He discloses to us about twelve
million United States dollars ($12,000,000 USD) which he kept for Investment
in a financial institute.

After several months of funeral of my late father, my uncles and some
members of the family started to treating us bad with their human wickedness
and diabolic powers. Thereby forcing my mother out of her matrimonial home
which at end they eliminated my mother and left me motherless and
fatherless.I humbly seek your assistance to invest this money in your
country, and requiring your assistance in the claims and transfer of the
same funds into your personal /company account for investment, I

will be glad to give you 15% of the total sum for your kind gesture. Please
it is very important you contact me immediately for us to proceed. Please
note to me your phone number, area of your profession and your age as to
know better side of you.

I an waiting your soonest and positive response.

Best Regards,
Miss Patricia Runs

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam