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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "money orders " (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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "cheques " (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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• 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: solomon samuel <solomon.samuel11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <solomon.sammy@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:51:17 -0600
Subject: Attractive Job Offer


Dear Sir/Madam, S & S International Limited is a US textile company. We produce and distribute clothing materials such as batiks,,art works,art materials and crafts,assorted fabrics and traditional costume worldwide.We have reached big sales volume of textile materials in North America and now are trying to penetrate the british market.
Quite soon,we will open representative offices or authorized sales centers in the UK and therefore we are currently looking for people who will assist us in establishing a new distribution network over there.The fact is that despite the UK market is new for us we already have regular clients also speaks for itself. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR US.But we have a problem thats setting us back.We have some problem collecting our payments from our UK clients.The international money transfer tax for legal entities(companies) in Latvia is 25%,whereas for the individual,it is only 7%.There is no sense for us to work this way, while tax for international money transfer made by a private individual is 7%.That's why we need you! We need agents to receive payment for our textiles( in money orders,cheque or bank wire transfers) from our clients in the UK and to resend the money to us via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer.This way we will save money because of tax decreasing. JOB DESCRIPTION1. Recieve payment from Clients.2. Cash Payments at your Bank.3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.4. Forward balance afer deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to(Payment is to be forwarded either by Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer). HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 7000 GBP via cheques or money orders on our behalf.You will cash the money and keep GBP700(10% of GBP7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%,through later it will increase up to 12%! ADVANTAGES.You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home or office.Your job is absolutely legal.You can earn up to GBP3000-4000 monthly depending on time you will spend for this job.You do not need any capital to start.You can do the Work easily without leaving or affecting your present Job. The employees who make efforts and work hard have a strong possibility to become managers.Anyway our employees never leave us. MAIN REQUIREMENTS.(1).18 years or older legally capable,responsible and ready to work 3-4hours per week.(2).You must have PC knowledge,e-mail and internet experience(minimal).And please know that Everything is absolutely legal, that's why you have to fill a contract! Our payments will be issued out in your name and sent to your contact address. If you are interested, please get back to me as soon as possible via email. N: B, Please send to me the listed information below: APPLICATIONFirst name :Last name :Full Address :City :State :Country :Zip Code :Tel numbers :Sex :Date of birth :Nationality :Are you employed/self employed?Do you have a checking account?Best means of communication?email/phone I will need this informations from you for my record,also if you require more information ,do not hesitate to contact me,i will give you a call asap.
Thanks and God bless,
Yours faithfully,
Solomon for S & S international.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam