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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
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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:

• 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank 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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • karl_stevens04@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "karl_stevens04" <karl_stevens04@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 16:54:35 -0600
Subject: ATTENTION:TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN


Dear friend,

I got your contact during my bank research magazine. My name is Mr.Karl Stevens. I am the Branch manager of the AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
(ADB), First Light Branch ECOWAS COMPLEX Cotonou Benin Republic. I am from Cotonou and married with two kids.

I am writing to solicit your assistance in the noble transfer of ($10M USD). This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the
manger made as over profit during the last year. I have already submitted an approved end of the last Year report for the year 2005 to my
Head Office here in Benin Republic and they will never know of this Excess.

I have also placed this amount of ($10M USD) in a SUSPENCE ACCOUNT without a beneficiary. As an Senior officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account.

I have certified my conscience to compensate you adequately at the end of the business. Also, I do need to stress that there are practically
no risk involved in this. It is going to be a bank-to-bank transfer to your nominated bank account (if you have any) or anywhere you feel
safer. All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund.

If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response.

Friendly regards,
Mr. Karl Stevens.

karl_stevens04@myway.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam