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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• 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.
  • stevcocson_online@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Steven" <emmy_thunder2@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: stevcocson_online@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2006 13:04:09 -0700
Subject: Update!!!

Dear Sir/Madam

Compliments and greetings to you. Haven found you listed with your
countries trade portal it is my wish to do business with you, hence your
receipt of this letter. The purpose of this letter is to introduce myself
to you, I am a financial consultant with a Middle East Business
consultancy, offering business advisor and banking services in the region, the
company I work for is a very solid company, and one of the companies
banking clients approached me and delivered to me the brief forming the
objective of my contacting you.

My task involves seeking a reliable partner for the purpose of my
client to invest funds in your country, and consequently migrate and reside
in your country; I decided to seek a partner, because I have never done
business in your country.

I am brokering an Investment deal in your country on behalf of this
client of our institution. This deal will involve the eventual investment
of USD 25 M. (Twenty F ive Million Dollars) in your country.

I am by this letter offering you partnership, so as to allow us have
you as representative and manager of invested funds in your country.
Since I can not determine if this email is still functional and also your
willingness I have kept this proposal brief.

If you are interested in this offer of partnership, please respond and
give me your full contact details (as preferred for this interaction)
plus company profile and in response we will send you an elaborate
proposal and details of this offer. Your expedient response will be
appreciated at this my confidential email id - (stevcocson_online@yahoo.com)
Thank you.
Mr Steven.
First Gulf Inc.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam