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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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Henry Anderson <henryandersonc1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <henryandersonppl@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:30:02 +0100
Subject: PLEASE ASSIST ME!


Dear sir/Mrs
With due respect I would like to disclose a mutual transaction to you. I am Barrister Allen Tweddle, working in the Natwest Bank of London. We have a consignment in our custody valued at $25.5 Millions dollars,000,000.00 USD (Twenty Five Million, Five Hundred United States Dollars) which was deposited by one of our customers in 1998.
For the past four years it is been recorded in our computer system that the beneficiary of the deposited consignment is dead and up till date we have not received any signal from his relatives for claiming of the deposited consignment. Further to the above, my Boss and I, resolved to solicit for your cooperation to move out this money to our sister company for your collection as the beneficiary. We will be responsible for all the documentations that will give your claim all legal backing needed as the next of kin. However, as soon as I receive favorable response from you, indicating your full names, telephone and fax numbers, then I will update you on the mapped out procedures towards the success of this transaction. Note that this deal is 100% risk free and shall be concluded within five (5) working days. We shall be compensating you with 30% on the conclusion of this deal, while the rest shall be for us for investment purpose in your country.
I am looking forward to your kindly response through my personal email.
Best Regards,Mr Henry Anderson
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam