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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "cheque " (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • steven101lawrs@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Steven Lwarence" <steven102laws@msn.com>
Reply-To: steven101lawrs@myway.com
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 13:53:49 +0000
Subject: From United Kingdom

N B: PLEASE REPLY ONLY TO MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS:
steven101lawrs@myway.com

Dear Friend,

First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction, this is
by virtue of it's nature as being utterly confidential and top secret as we
got your email address from the web Email directory and decided to introduce
this transaction. We are member of staff of a Bank here in the United
Kingdom. I am writing following an oppurtunity in my office that will be of
imense benefit to both of us. I am seeking your assistance to enable me
collect and transfer the sum of US$20,500,000.00 into your private company
account for mutual benefits. This money came about as a result of a contract
for the supply of five thousand, three hundred and sixty-seven computer
unit, installation and turn-around maintenance executed on behalf of my
Bank, in the year 2004. This contract was officially assigned to be awarded
and executed by two foreign contractors at the tune of US$100,500,000.00,
but in the course of my negotiation, we bargained with only one foreign
contractor, a Italian firm which now executed the contract at the cost of
US$80.000.000.00. Thus leaving the remaining US$20.5M floating in the escrow
account at the Barclays bank ready for payment. I have therefore been
mandated as a matter of trust by my colleagues in the panel to look for an
overseas partner to whom we could transfer the sum of US$20.5M legally
subcontracting the entitlement to your company. This is bearing in mind that
our civil service code of conduct forbids us from owning foreign company or
running foreign account while in banking service hence the need for an
overseas partner. to the benefits of we the three members of the contract
award panel unknown to the contractor and any other person in my Bank. This
contract has been satisfactorily executed and inspected as the Italian firm
is presently securing his payment from my Bank. It is however to this effect
that I seek your maximum assistance and approval to present your company
name alongside with the Italian contractor as the second foreign contractor
to enable me transfer the difference (US$20.5M) into your account for
further investment depending on your advice. On actualization of the
transaction, the funds will be shared thus: 1. 20% of the money go to you
for acting as the beneficiary of the funds. 2. 10% has been set aside as an
abstract projection for reimbursment to both parties for any incidental
expences incurred in the course of this transaction. 3. 70% to we (three
members of the Contract Award Panel.) All logistics are in place and all
modalities worked out for the smooth actualization of the transaction within
fourteen working days of commencement after receipt of the following
information by email: Your company‘s Name. Address. Phone/Fax number. Also,
the solar bank draft or certified cheque drawable in any of the Barclays
bank correspondent banks around the world is going to be made in your
company name. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above
email address. The above information will enable me make the application and
lodge claims to the concerned bank in favour of your company or name and it
is pertinent to state here that this deal is entirely based on trust. If you
are able to handle, contact me by return mail. Also furnish me with your
own phone numbers, as I will be sending you immediately I receive your
positive response some classified documents. Thanks in anticipation for your
positive response.

Yours faithfully.

Steven Lawrence.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam