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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:
  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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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 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)
  • "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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447031947759 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: HILL KEIF <hill.keif00028@msn.com>
Reply-To: <hill.keif@live.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:33:59 +0000
Subject: Mr. Hill Keif.



The world's local bank

HSBC HOLDINGS BANK PLC
CANADA SQUARE, LONDON.
REG NO: 1026167
Tel: +447031947759
Fax: +447070134375


ATTN:

During the auditing and Opening of all financial records of the HSBC holdings bank plc (HSBC) it was discovered from the records of outstanding foreign contractors due for payment with the government of England
in The year 2009 that your name and details is next on the list of
those who will received their funds from the British ballot exercise
conducted by a nine years old girl through an email ballot draw and all
the beneficiary's of this exercise have all been notified.

I
wish to officially inform you that your payment is being processed and
will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter with
information's needed for further re-verification. Also note that from
the record in our files, your outstanding ballot payment is
USD$10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars).

Kindly

re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record
and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed
and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of Drivers License I .D.

As
soon as the above information are received, your payment will be Made
available to you via an international certified bank draft or wired
transfer directly to your account, which will be delivered to your
doorstep for your confirmation.

You should call my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for further discussion and more clarification.

Best regards

Mr. Hill Keif.
International Remittance Director
HSBC HOLDINGS BANK PLC, UK

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam