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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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 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 "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • chpower@mail.vu (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Madam Christiana Allen Power" <cpowers@mail.vu>
Date: Wed, 09 May 2007 19:47:40 -0800
Subject: Hello !!!

My name is Madam Christiana Allen Power widow to late Mr. Allen Powers
Director of Natural Gas Operation in United Kingdom.

I am 68years old, suffering from long time cancer.
From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite
obvious
that I won't live more than expectations according to my doctors. This is
because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I want your pity
but i
need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from heart attack, and during the
period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child.
My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his
business and wealth.
The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than few months, so
I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the
development of charity in Africa, America, Asia and Europe. I am sorry if
you are embarrassed by my mail.

I found your e-mail address in the web directory, and I have decided to
contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail offensives, you can
ignore it and please accept my apology.
However, before my late husband died he was a major oil business men, and
He deposited the sum of 25 million dollars (Twenty five million dollars) in
one of the
well known and reputable security company in Madrid, Spain. Moreover I need
you to collect the funds and distribute it according to the God wishes and
for charity,

I hope God will gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives, that is my
main concern.

20% of this money will be for your time and effort, while 80% goes to
charity.

So if you know you can assist me then forward to me immediately the
following information.
1) NAMES AND ADDRESS
2) PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
3) YOUR NATIONALITY
4) OCCUPATION
5) AGE and your Marital Status.

Please reply back to me on this email: chpower@mail.vu

God bless you.
Madam Christiana Allen Power

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam