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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
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• 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.

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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "million us 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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: sgtrgraham@netscape.net
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:36:35 -0400
Subject: THANKING YOU

Dear Mr VICTIMNAME,

Thank you very much for your reply, I do appreciate your concern.

The most important thing is to transfer this funds, which is amounted to $25 Million US dollars and it has already been delivered to a security company in Amsterdam.

All that i want from you is to help in making contact and claiming the above mentioned funds from the security firm so that they can transfer it to you in your country. As I told you earlier,we have kept aside 40% of this money as your compensation,

Be informed that this transaction is legal and I have all the legal documents involved in my possesion, when we come to an agreement I shall send you the documents through my Attorney in Holland ,thereby making you our partner who is to receive the money via courier means to your provided address or bank account in your country.

However, you are to send to me your full names and telephone number inorder for my attorney to place a call across to you for further information towards this transaction as I am not in a better position to partake fully, for security measures has to be taken on my part as Iraq is not completely safe for me to have phone communication to transact this deal. However am glad that you have made up your mind to assist me in rechannelling this funds and for so doing , you will be made the new beneficiary with the intervention of my Attorney who resides in Nederlands where the consignment is currently deposited and as soon as the funds has been successfully transfered to you, I will file for retrenchement from the military base and join you in your country where we will meet ,shake hands and discuss further business opportunities and investment.

Thank you very much once again and God bless.

I await your urgent response.

Sincerely,
Sgt Rita Graham.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam