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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:
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447024096213 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • mr.edgarwilliams967@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.EDGAR WILLIAMS" <smith_williams967@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:38:31 -0700
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL!!!

Global Import & Export Corporation
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-702-409-6213
Fax: +44-709-286-8256
Email: mr.edgarwilliams967@gmail.com


Business Proposal.
Dear Sir/Madam,

I represent Global Import and Export Corporation based in the United Kingdom.

My company exports cocoa, Timber and textile materials for world trade. We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in Canada, North and South America and as well as making payments through you as our payment officer.

Most of our customers pay out in check and we do not have an account in your country that will clear this money. It is upon this note that we seek your assistance to stand as our representative in your country.

Note that, as our representative you will receive ten percent (10%) of whatever amount you clear for our company and the balance will be paid into an account we will send to you. Please, to facilitate this transactions if accepted do send me promptly by email the following:

(1) Your full names
(2) Contact address
(3) Phone/fax numbers.

Thank you for your time.

My Regards,
Mr. Edgar Williams
President,
Global Import & Export Corp
Freight Fwdg. Svcs.
Email: mr.edgarwilliams967@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam