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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:
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?q?Ugowilliams=20Ugowilliams?= <uugowilliams@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: ugowilchambers@sify.com
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:47:17 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Await your prompt response


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: uugowilliams@yahoo.in



- Dear Sir. This Message might meet you in utmost Surprise. However i urged that you should kindly accept this proposal in a good faith. I am a Lawyer by Profession, from Cotonou Benin Republic In West Africa. I wish to Seek for your consent in order to present you as the next of Kin to my Deceased client, Mr.Hudson Anderson,an Oil marketer,a National of United State of America,who made a huge deposit valued at ($17.6 Million USD) with the (Diamond Bank Benin) but unfortunatley died in a p! lane crash with his entire Family in Kenya Airline in the year 2003. Also i have made several attempt to locate any member of his family,but all effort proved abortive. Please visit this web site to know more about The Deceased Death.( http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/07/20/kenya.crash/index.html ) Therefore the bank management of Diamond Bank Benin has mandated me to provide his next of kin,wethin 14 working days, or have the fund consificated. Also we are going to share the Money in the Ratio Of 50/40 / while 10% will be maped out for any expenses which might incure During the transfer,please if this proposal appeal to You, therefore kindly get back to me as soon as possible for further details of the Transfer.have A Great Day.Barrister Ugo Wiliams.Await your prompt respopnse

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam