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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Hoff T. Allen" <htallen001@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: htallen0010@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:10:27 -0400
Subject: Respectfully submitted

Dear friend,


My name is Hoff T Allen, an American soldier, serving in the military with
the Third infantry Division in Iraq. I and my superior moved funds belonging
to Saddam Hussein, the total is $16,000, 000.00 (Sixteen Million US
dollars), this money is being kept safe in a secured location. You can go to
this web link to read about events that took place here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

Basically since we are working for the government and cannot keep these
funds, we have decided to look for someone to help us receive the funds in
his offshore account for Joint Investment.

We will divide the total funds in three ways, since we are three involved in
this project. You will take 30%, 30% will be for me, while my superior
officer will take 30%. 10% will be kept aside for expenses. This business is
secret, and it should not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk
involved whatsoever.

Can I trust you? To ensure confidentiality, when you receive this letter,
kindly reply me via e-mail signifying your interest including your private
mobile number and contact address for quick communication. If you are
interested, I will send you the full details.

This business is 100% risk free.

Respectfully submitted,

Hoff T Allen.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam