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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "barr." (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.
  
• 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.
  • barr.franciswilliams@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: cmshfs@mchsi.com (Francis Williams)
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:23:09 +0000
Subject: CAN WE WORK TOGETHER

Attention,

I feel very sorry to interrupt your peace since you are not expecting to
receive any mail from me. However, I was obliged to do so due to the
importance and urgency of the message. I crave your indulgence, and want to
reassure you that I mean well and that it is only for our mutual good. So
please do not be embarrassed or suspicious.
The purpose of my mail to you is to politely ask if you can assist me in
transferring some amount of money out of the country, with less risk and less
work to do. Necessary information of how and why I would need your help is
strictly confidential and would be explained to you in subsequent mails. If
this is ok by you, contact me through my email:
barr.franciswilliams@yahoo.co.uk
Your response is humbly requested.

Barr. Francis Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam