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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: MR ANDREA MAWELB <mrandrea008@yahoo.ie>
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 11:17:09 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CLAIM OPTIONS


THE LOTTERY DEPARTMENT
P O BOX 1010
LIVERPOOL, L70 1NL UNITED KINGDOM
Ref: UK/9420X4/67
Batch:073/05/ZY366 Dear Sherman Klien ,
How are you doing? Hope all is well. I am MR.ANDREA MAWELB, your UK Claim Security Agent here in the United Kingdom. The email you received is a winning notification of the last lottery draws that was held in this company sometimes ago.
You are opened to two claims options to redeem your prize.

OPTION 1: You are to come to The United Kingdom in person to claim your prize. When coming, you are to come with a copy of your winning notification, birth certificate and affidavit of age declaration. WE NEED A SCANNED COPY OF THE FRONT PAGE OF INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT OR DRIVER'S LICENSE. You shall give me an update of your flight and all that.
OPTION 2 : Your prize will be sent to you by a courier company. I shall give you their contact details and you will contact them yourself. Have it in mind that you will be required to settle the courier charges which the sending of your winning cheque and Original Certificate will incure, this is because the total amount has been insured to the real value and as such cannot be deducted from. WE NEED A SCANNED COPY OF THE FRONT PAGE OF INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT OR DRIVER'S LICENSE.
This is in accordance with section 13(1)(n) of the National Gambling Act as adopted in 1993 and amended on 3rd July, 1996 by the Constitutional Assembly. This is to protect winners and avoid misappropriation of funds.
Any option you choose, do let me know as soon as possible in order for me to start preparations
concerning your claims process.
Regards,
ANDREA MAWELB,
Lotto Claim Security Agent.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam