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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • xmei_2001@163.com

Fraud email example:

From: xmei_2001@mail15.com (may be fake)
Reply-To: xmei_2001@163.com
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 22:17:45 +0800
Subject: I need your assistance please !!!


Dear Friend,

My name is Mrs.Xian and I am a bank manager of a reputable bank in China. I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail confidential and respect the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this mail. I contacted you independently of our investigation and no one is informed of this communication.

The subject in questions was a client with my bank and until his demise he maintained an investment in millions of dollars, which has since reached its maturity. The subject maintained a discrete relationship with us and never nominated a legatee to his investment. At the time of his demise he was yet to sign the mandate card and he remained in testate. It is ethical that his investment with us be confiscated by government and to be reverted to treasury but not quite, it would be diverted and embezzled by insincere executives.

Consequently, what I propose is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to the deceased. Acting in this capacity really is simple, as I will explain in detail to you when I get your response.

However, I wish to appeal to you not to be vindictive if my proposal does not appeal to you, just delete it and forget I ever contacted you with this proposal. Ordinarily I would not do this but all humans have needs and there are circumstances that you would get to understand better should we work together on this project.

Awaiting your urgent reply through my alternative email xmei_2001@163.com <mailto:xmei_2001@163.com> for security reasons.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs.Xian

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam