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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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.
  • mrmrtincole@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Martin Cole" <martindcole@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 18:07:39 +0100
Subject: CONSENT & ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

Akinogun & Adesola Chambers
Maman Kantagora Building,
Left wing, 13 Floor,
# 101 Marina -Lagos.
Email: mrmrtincole@yahoo.com

 

Dear Sir,
 
I am Barrister Martin Cole, Principal Partner of the above firm. I have been instructed by one of my client, to search for a credible person or company overseas for a joint business venture. My client reliably confided in me that he has a huge sum of money which he legitimately inherited from his late parents. Being a young man without any business acumen, he has mandated me to solicit for a competent person or co-operation that will manage this fund for him.
 
Having gone through your profile I decided to contact you, hoping that you will find this proposal interesting. Please on your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest I shall link you to my client for more details, endeavour to let me know your decision than keeping me waiting. It is important to let you know that if you help us transfer this fund to your country and clear it, you have a percentage.
 
Kindly include your telephone and fax number for easy communication.
 
Thanks for your understanding and I will tell you more about this fund on the receipt of your reply. If you are not interested, kindly pardon me for contacting you. Thanks and remain blessed.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Martin Cole Esq.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam