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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.

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:
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "my direct telephone number" (i.e. "call me on my cellphone at the Internet cafe where we scammers hang out")
• 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.
  • russell8davies@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "RUSSELL DAVIES" <agathaboer@netscape.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 10:10:19 +0900
Subject: HELLO

Datum: 05-09-2006

Tijd: 16:25:35


I got your details from a mutual friend of mine who presented your resume
to me and advised me that you can be of assistance.


It involves a time deposit of 8.6million (Eight Million, Six hundred
thousand United States Dollars only) in an account in the United Kingdom.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the depositor with no known
nominated successor has made it difficult to locate anyone who is directly
related to the deceased.

With very strong feeling that no one will ever come forward to claim the
funds and the investigation coming to a close after several months, the need
for assistance becomes crucial, as a next of kin to the depositor is
earnestly sought for.

I have a legal and totally risk free means through which the funds can be
released to your nominated bank account within a very short time after due
documentation and authentication process.

The strategy is to use my position as his Attorney to present you as a next
of Kin and beneficiary of the time deposit.

I expect your response and if in the affirmative, contact me on my direct
telephone number: +1 818 827 1325 or email me at:
russell8davies@netscape.net

I shall advice you on what we need to do.

Best regards,

Russell Davies

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam