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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:
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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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • philipdoglas111@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "usman sanni" <usmansanni@msn.com>
Reply-To: usmansanni111@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 12:46:56 +0000
Subject: I AM NOW SUCCESSFUL

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day and God's blessings

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the
transaction, the money transferred to London. It is done through the
assistant of
your country man Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man.
Currently I am in London with him and my wife and children.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,
you made me what I am now though you are not there to complet this project
with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your
fault or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction ,I understand
it is simply because of what you must have heard about my country and her
business opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example
myself.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as compensation and
wrote on your favor a check of US$105,500.00.(One Hundred and Five
Thousand,Five Hundred United States Dollars Only) I left the chek with my
Attorney, Barrister. .Philip Douglas on my departure to London. I
would like you
to contact him on the below info so that he can mail it to you.

Attn: Barrister.Philip Douglas
Email:philipdoglas111@yahoo.com

I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but
due to the recent terrorist attack Mr.Ferraro advice me not to call because
all internatonal calls are been monitored by the UK Authority. Contact my
Attorney in Nigeria so that he can release your check to you. I will
stop here. Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.

Regards,
Mr.Usman Sanni

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam