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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • ralphalexan@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Ralph Alexander <ralphalexan@walla.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 14:18:39 +0100
Subject: My Business Proposals


Dear Friend,

I write to seek your co-operation as my foreign partner and your assistance. I apologize if this mail message does not suit your personal or business ethics.
My name is Barrister Ralph Alexander, an attorney to a deceased Immigrant and property magnate who was based in the U.S, Also referred herein as my client. by name Mr. Johnnie Dickson who died in New Orleans with his wife and two children as a result of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
I am contacting you to help assist me in ensuring that the funds lodged by my client with a security company here in Spain, the security company did not decleared unclaimed hence my reason for this contact to you.
The security company has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the funds will be confiscated by the order of Spanish law court.
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin, so that the proceeds of this funds can be paid to you, Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All i require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.

However if you are willing to assist me in this venture, kindly respond back to my private email (ralphalexan@hotmail.com) i will also establish a verbal telephone communication with you and bring you into a much better picture of the situation as soon as i read from you.

Best Regards,
Barrister Ralph Alexander

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam