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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)
• 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.
  • georgeirabo@ny.com

Fraud email example:

From: "George Irabo" <williamsokafor1@msn.com>
Reply-To: georgeirabo@ny.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 15:52:04 +0000
Subject: I am waiting for your urgent reply

Dear Friend,

I know you may be surprised to receive this crucial and vital message from
me irrespective of the fact that I had no correspondence with you previously
I apologized using this medium. My name is
Mr. George Irabo of International Funds/Accounts Director. Amount of money
in the Account:$17,140,965.36 cents Seventeen Million One Hundred and Forty
Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Five Thrity Six Cents). As International
Funds/Accounts Director I have been monitoring this account for nearly Six
years now and after a prolonged observation I recormended it as risk free
venture since every ducumentation concening the account holder is with me
but it must be in maximum confidencialty between me and you. Upon your
acceptance to this deal I will offer you my proposal on what is my offer as
regards to this transaction, If you accept my Initial proposal below is the
details informations I require from you to proceed of which I will also use
in co-odinate the transfer to your country.
1.Your Full Name/Address
2.Private Tele/Fax Numbers
3.Copy of your Identity Card
I advice you to reply to my Private Email (georgeirabo@ny.com)
Yours Sincerely
Mr.George Irabo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam