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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.

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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:
  • "million united states 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)
• 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.
  • chiefofstaff@emailaccount.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Amb.Dr.Hukka Wario <loiestrd@aol.com>
Reply-To: cheifofstaff@emailaccount.com
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:50:40 +0200
Subject: Assistance for investment in your country


Good Day,
I am Dr Hukka Wario,a permanent secretary at the Office of the Vice president Nairobi Kenya.I am contacting you concerning a deceased contractor and an outstanding contract payment under the supervision of my department.I am presently on a government assignment to Den Hagg The Netherlands, I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail confidential.
I am contacting you to solicit for your assistance to help me transfer and safeguard funds amounting to Twelve million United States dollars . You will be presented as the Next-Of-Kin to the deceased to enable our Department transfer the money to you as the legitimate next of Kin because you share the same name.

My proposal: I now seek your permission to present you as a next of kin to the deceased, as all documentations will be carefully worked out to make you the beneficiary to the funds: US$12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million United states Dollars) ; I am prepared to place you in a position to instruct The Ministry of Finance to release the outstanding payment to you as the closest surviving relation.
Upon receipt of the deposit, I am prepared to share the money with you. That is: I will simply nominate you as the next of kin, armed with all the necessary documents officially nominating you, and have them release the deposit to you. We share the proceeds 60% for me, and 40% for you.

I will give you more details about the transaction when I receive your affirmative response at my secured Email address: chiefofstaff@emailaccount.com
Looking forward to hearing from you soonest.

I await your response.
Dr Hukka Wario.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam