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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • michealdoherty@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "fredmartins" <fredmartins@terra.com.mx>
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 08:54:55 -0600
Subject: RE


FROM: Sgt. Fred Martins
Email fredmartins@o2;pl
Important Message
Dear Sir
Good day to you
My name is Michael Doherty i am an American soldier, i am serving
in the military of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, we have just
been posted to leave Iraq and go back to Germany. I am now in
Kuwait at the mean time, I and my superior moved funds belonging
to unknow person, the total is $25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five
million US dollars) this money is being kept safe in a securitycompany.
We got this money from one of the retrived operation we carried out when saddams hussein boys bombed and destroyed so many finacial institution in iraq.
Basically since we are working for the government we cannot keep
these funds, but we want to transfer and move the funds to you, so
that you can keep it for us in your safe account or an offshore account.
We will divide the total funds in three ways, since we are 3 that is
involved. This means that you will take 30%, I will take 30%, and my
superior will take 30%. 10% will be kept aside for expenses. This business is confidential, and it should not be discussed with anyone.

There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested i will send
you the full details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust
and that will assist us. Can i trust you? When you receive this letter,
kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most
confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication also your
contact details. This business is risk free, REPLY ME ON THIS EMAIL: michealdoherty@myway.com

Respectfully submitted
Sgt. Fred Martins

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam