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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.

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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:
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Jones Owen" <jonesowen_private@msn.com>
Reply-To: jonesowen_private@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 14:58:53 +0000
Subject: FROM MR OWEN!

Dear Friend,


I am Mr.Owen, an accounting officer the {FIRST NATIONAL BANK SOUTH AFRICA}.
I have a transaction, which I think will be of mutual benefit to both of us,
in my desire for a foreign partner with whom to do this transaction, I
stumbled on your contact from your country’s chamber of commerce.

As the head of Accounts Departments of FNB, I discovered some amount of
money while I was auditing accounts for the 2004/2005 mid quarter, which has
been lying there for four years.

On further enquiry, I discovered that this money totally about (Fifteen
Million United States Dollars Only) including accumulated interest belonged
to one Mr. Dario Basal, a Portuguese citizen who lived and died without any
beneficiary, I have Successfully secured the money and with the assistance
of my colleagues, the money has been packaged as photographic materials
ready for shipment abroad. It will be lodge in a security company in Europe
of which I want you to stand as the next of kin to the fund since we can not
locate any of his relations.

I will need your particulars to enable me prepare documents in your favour
which will authenticate that the consignment belongs to you and to enable
you claim the money, I want to be assured of a safe account where the money
will be deposited pending my arrival.

This transaction is risk free with no legal complications. I have made all
necessary arrangement for a successful transaction.I will direct you on
where the money is deposited when I hear from you, Please I need Your
current Telephone/fax number for easy communication.

Your urgent response is needed.

Sincerely your's,

Mr.Jones Owen {FNB}

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam