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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
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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:
  • "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "derektrotter35" <derektrotter35@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2006 02:17:54 -0600
Subject: PART TIME JOB


Hello,
My name is Derek Trotter and I am an artist.I live in England,
I have been doing artwork since I was a small child when I was in
Canada were I took interest in arts that gives me about 23 years of
experience I majored in art in high school and took a few college art
courses. Most of my work is done in either pencil or airbrush mixed
with color pencils.
I have recently added designing and creating
artwork on the computer.I have been selling my art for the last 4 to 5
years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in
magazines.I have sold in galleries,museums and to private collectors
from all around the world.I am always facing serious difficulties when
it comes to selling my art works to Americans,they are always offering
to pay with a US POSTAL MONEY ORDER,which is difficult for me to cash
here in England.
I am l ooking for a representative in the states who
will be working for me as a partime worker and i am willing to pay for
every transaction,which wouldn't affect ur present state of work,
someone who would help me recieve payments from my customers in the
states.I mean someone that is responsible and reliable,cause the cost
of coming to the state and getting payments is very expensive, i am
working on setting up a branch in the state, so for now i need a
representative in the united state who will be handling the payment
aspect.These payments are in money order and they would come to you in
your name, so all you need to do is cash the money order deduct your
percentage and wire the rest back.
But the problem I have is trust,
But I have my way of getting anyone that gets away with our money,I
mean the FBI branch in Washington gets involve.It wouldnt cost u any
amount,u are to receive payments which will be sent to u by fedex or
ups from my business partners,which would come in form of a money order
then u are to cash it and send the cash to me via western union money
transfer all western union charges will be deducted from the money.If
you are interested, please get back to me as soon as possible with this
following information
FIRST NAME
LAST NAM
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
COUNTRY
PHONE NUMBER (S)
Regards
Derek Trotter

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam