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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "you are required to pay " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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!
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: FREEUK PARCEL EXPRESS Services <freeuk_parcelxpress@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:36:47 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Your Order number is HTC231-4844


ATTN,

We again remind you of your payment for the mandatory delivery charges so that we can dispatch your parcel containing a Certified Cheque worth 2.6 million GBP to your home address in due time. Please read details below and try to complier promptly to this notice.


Your Order number is HTC231-4844. Description of parcel to be delivered:


An original certificate of weight: -------------0.05kg
Bonded draft of weight: -------------0.11kg
Total weight of parcel: -------------0.16kg
Colour of Parcel: -------------Brown
Length of days: -------------Same day/ 3-4days/ 6-7days


Below are three (3) categories of the mandatory administrative charges that you are required to pay to enable us courier your certified bank check to you. You are to make a choice of the category that suits you:


1) (6-7 days delivery)

Courier charges ............................... 135.00 Pounds
Administrative ..................................215.00Pounds
Insurance ..........................................105.00Pounds
TOTAL...................................................455.00Pounds

COST OF DELIVERY IN USD: 838.169 USD


2) (3-4 days delivery)

Courier Charges .............................. 135.00Pounds
Administrative ................................. 215.00Pounds
Insurance ........................................ 210.00Pounds
TOTAl..................................................560.00Pounds

COST OF DELIVERY IN USD: 1,031.58 USD



3) (Sameday delivery)

Courier Charges .............................. 135.00Pounds
Administrative .................................215.00Pounds
Insurance ........................................ 315.00Pounds
TOTAl................................................665.00Pounds

COST OF DELIVERY IN USD: 1,224.65 USD


The charges are a little high because of the insurance cover we have undertaken incase of loss, damage or theft of your highly sensitive document. We assume all responsibilities incase of any eventualities.


You are to make the payment through Western Union Money Transfer so as to speed up the process of delivery. You are to locate the nearest western union agent to you and make the payment through the name of our accounts officer below:


Receiver Name: Mr. Kenneth Cole
Address: Argonaut House, Galley mead
Road, Colebrook, Berkshire, SL3 0EN


You are to send to me the following after payment:


1. Name and address of sender
2. Amount sent
3. Control number (MTCN)
4. Test question and answer if any


You are to send a copy of the evidence of payment to your handling agent as well for confirmation. A receipt of the above payment will be issued to you from our office along with your check.


As soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the above charges, we will dispatch your parcel immediately. The date and time of departure and expected date of delivery will be sent to you. It will take twenty-four hours after confirmation of payment to get your parcel dispatched to you. You will be required to sign for the parcel and to do this, you will need either your international passport as identification or your driver's license.


All orders not delivered within 48hrs from this communication will be returned. Please ensure that you confirm your delivery address.

Thank you and try to respond promptly.

Regards,

Mr. Henry Culter
Customer Service Unit
FREEUK PARCEL EXPRESS Service



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam