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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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• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Andrew Bell" <an_bll@mail.win.it> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 29 May 2006 17.46.11 +0200
Subject: Re : I will provide further information.

Hi Dear ,
I do understand that this letter will come as a
surprise to you. My name is Andrew Bell. I am a
Liberian, and an assistant to the former Liberian
President Charles Taylor. I am currently in self exile
in the Europe.
As you may be aware there is an on going vindictive
quest to freeze all know assets belonging to the
family of Charles Taylor regardless of how it is
acquired. Presently I am in control of Two Million
Five Hundred Thousand United States dollars only,
(USD$2.5m)
belonging to him, which he has mandated me to transfer
into a nutral account, to evade possible seizure .
This is a mutually beneficial transaction that can be
concluded in a couple of days. You may signify your
interest by emailing me at which I will provide
further information. A percentage accruable to each
party is negotiable. I will be happy to call you if
you leave a number so I may proffer more information.
Be assured that this transaction is 100% risk free and
your participation will not bring you into any
disrepute as confidentiality is assured.
Best regards,
Andrew Bell

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam