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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:

• 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • micmathew_associates@lycos.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Mathew" <micmathew_associates@yahoo.co.in> (may be fake)
Reply-To: micmathew_associates@lycos.com
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 02:40:20 +0000
Subject: Very Urgent

Attn:Dear Friend,

I would like to introduce myself I, am Barrister Michael Mathew, LLB, HONS.I am the Lawyer to late Cleve Steve who died in Car Accident few months ago with his Family.He had consignment with Africa Security Company and I am the only person who knows that he had Consignment with the Africa Security Company here in Ghana.

Immediately,I had your contact information as his relative,that is why,I sent you this message for the next step to be taken for the delivery of his Consignment.

I have been to the Africa Security Company and I informed them that I have seen his realtive who supposes to receive this Consignment on his behalf. The Security Company informed me that if his relative can provide the Change of Owner and The Contract Bond, which is Power of Attorney, the Consignment would be leaving for his destination.

I will do the change of ownership on your name immediately, I receive your information to enable the courier service transport the Consignment to you without any difficulities.

The Content of this consignment is 770 kilos of 23.4Karat Gold, and the second box content is $25million USD dollars.

Waiting for your quick response.

Best Wishes,
Barrister Michael Mathew, LLB, HONS.
Micmahew & Associates,
(Solicitor & Advocates, Legal Practitioner &
Consultant.)
Crew Street,#18,Community 5,
Accra-Ghana.
micmathew_associates@lycos.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam