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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• 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:
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2289299389 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • koffimichael@coolgoose.com

Fraud email example:

From: Koffi Michael <koffimike_tg@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2006 04:56:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: With Due Respect! Dear Friend.


MR.KOFFI MICHAEL
SECRETARY TO THE DIRECTOR
OF FOREIGN REMITTANCE,
SOCIETE GENERAL BANK
LOME TOGO IN WEST AFRICA.
EMAIL CONTACT : koffimichael@coolgoose.com.

Dear Friend,

I AM MR. KOFFI MICHAEL THE SECRETARY TO THE DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN REMITTANCE, SOCIETE GENERAL BANK IN LOME TOGO IN WEST AFRICA.

I WAS DIRECTED TO INQUIRE FROM YOU IF YOU CAN HANDLE THIS TRANSACTION ON BEHALF OF MY BOSS AND HIS DEVOTED COLLEAGUES. THE TRANSACTION IS ABOUT ASSISTING US AS OUR FORIEGN COUNTERPART TO ENABLE US PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE USD$12MILLION DOLLARS LEFT BY OUR LATE DECEASED FORIEGN CUSTOMER, SINCE JANUARY 2003, THE FUND HAS BEEN IN A SUSPENCE ACCOUNT AWAITING FOR CLAIM.

WE WILL GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE TRANSACTION WHEN WE RECIEVE YOUR AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSE. I CAN BE REACHED ON MY SECURED E-MAIL ADDRESS : koffimichael@coolgoose.com THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING,LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOONEST.

YOURS FAITHFULLY.
MR KOFFI MICHAEL.
TELE: +228-929-9389.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam