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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "mdsmith" <mdsmith@bol.com.br>
Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 10:54:25 -0300
Subject: ATTENTION LANGE


220 Balham High Road
Central London W17 7BQ
United Kingdom.
Dear Sir,
Greetings to you from London. Please, I humbly seek for your help very urgently with hope and believe you wouldn’t fail me, both now and in future to come. I am Mr. David Smith, Account officer to Mr. William Lange, a businessman based here in London. Mr. William Lange (my client) on the 21st of April 2002, were involved in a car accident with his Family in which all occupants of the vehicle died.
Mr. William before his death deposited the sum of {15 Million US Dollars} with the Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) London as an investment deposit for three years (3 yrs). Since his death I have made several restless attempts in locating any of my clients extended relatives, but this attempt so far has been unsuccessful. After this several unsuccessful attempts, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to please assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where the deposit was made as they have noted. But due to the fact that you can be of assistance to me, I request for your assistance. Now the Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the money confiscated within the next fourteen official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for few years now, I seek your consent if you are interested to present you as the next of kin of the deceased. Be assured that all legal documents to aid your claim for this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be arranged for. Your help will immersive be appreciated with 30% of the total sum.
All I require from you is honesty and your full co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please accept my sincere apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this mail if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you.
However, if you do please include your Phone and Fax number in your response for better communication and transaction details.
Thank you
Mr. David Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam