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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.

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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "susan owen" <susan_owen15@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: susan_owen1@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:57:51 +0200
Subject: [BUSINESS PROPOSAL]URGENT FUND TRANSFER ASSISTANCE

From: Susan Owen
South Africa

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I'm the accountant General of my bank here in South Africa .I discovered in a DOMICILIARY ACCOUNT favoring a foreign customer, the floating sum of US$15,000,000 (fifteen million Us dollars). Available record reviewed that the floating sum belonged to a GERMAN citizen named Mr.ANDREAS SCHRANNER who died in a plane crash with his entire family .He has no next of kin knowledgeable to the existence of this fund. Visit the web site as posted dated. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

 

What you are required to do implicitly is to put up an application to the bank as his nominated next of kin by his extended family in GERMANY which is a workable approach irrespective of your Nationality hence, you will stand by the power of such nomination as his cousin resident in where you are today to claim this fund into your account for both of us.I want this transfer to be concluded within two week. I will forward to you, application letter that you will fax to the bank as his next of kin.
 
Consequently as a result of the urgency and time being essence in this transaction, I will appreciate you forward to me the following information's

 

1 Your direct confidential telephone and direct confidential fax numbers
2 Your full names
3 Your Age
4 House address/company address if any.
5 Occupation/profession.
6 Marital status
7 International passport copy
 
Upon your assistance, I have agreed to give you 50% for your assistance in this regard while 50% is for me.Please get back to me if your are interested.
 
Thanks.
Mrs.Susan Owen

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam