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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
  (+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:
  • "transfer into your account" (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 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.
  • f_a_quatey@freeghana.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Florence A. Quatey" <f_a_quatey@outgun.com> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:50:34 +0100
Subject: FROM TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

HSBC Equator
Member HSBC Group, Accra-Ghana

International Transfer
Processing Department
Trust Towers Asylum Down
2nd Floor PMB CCCI
Cantonments, Accra Ghana
E-mail: hsbc_banking.com (office)

20th June, 2006


ATTN: SIR,


RE: SWIFT TRANSFER OF US$4.5 MILLION INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT

I am the Head of Treasury Department of HSBC BANK-ACCRA-GHANA.

Sometime ago, your contract money was brought to our bank from
Economic Community of West African Foreign Contractor Payment Panel
made of the following countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Togo,Benin, Senegal,
Ivory-coast, Gambia, Mali, etc.(Ecowas).

After some period, they called the fund back to their treasury. For
the period of time this money has been in our bank, it has generated
an interest of US$4.5 Million, which we consider must be paid to you
since you are one of the contractors that have not received his/her
payment.

As a matter of fact we the management of this bank has resolved and
decided to pay the interest of the fund via Swift Transfer into your
account.

What we need from you now is any form of identification your
international passport number or your driving license number, then
your telephone and fax number for easy communication.

In view of this you are hereby instructed to contact this office
immediately you receive this message and reconfirm your banking
particulars.

The HSBC Bank therefore apologize for any form of delay and inconvenience.

We are poised to serve you better and waiting to hear from you.

Best Regards,

MRS FLORENCE QUATEY.
HEAD OF TREASURY DEPARTMENT
HSBC BANK ACCRA GHANA
EMAIL: f_a_quatey@freeghana.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam