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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • mrmarkpaul1@yahoo.dk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK PAUL" <mrmarkpaul@infokingwebmail.com>
Reply-To: mrmarkpaul1@yahoo.dk
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:28:39 +0000
Subject: RE: PLEASE ASSIST ME!!!


RE: PLEASE ASSIST ME!!!
MR. MARK PAUL,
Manager: Prudential Insurance Company
Rely to my Private Email Address: mrmarkpaul1@yahoo.dk

Dear Friend,

I feel quite safe dealing with you in this business proposition havinggone through your remarkable profile on the internet. Though, thismedium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach youthrough it because it still remains the fastest, surest and mostsecured medium of communication. However, this correspondence is purelyprivate, and it should be treated as such. I also guarantee you thatthis deal is hitch free from all what you may think of. I am MR. MARKPAUL,

Manager incharge of Claims and Indemnity of PRUDENTIAL InsuranceCompany. I am contacting you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to this deal for the benefit of both of us. TheManagement and the Legal / Treasury Department of this PRUDENTIALInsurance Company in a recent meeting, recommended that the account ofMR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN, who maintained a Life Assurance Policy, shouldbe declared Dormant and confisticated hence moving his unclaimedbenefits funds to the Treasury according to our Banking and Financiallaw. Recently, I came across a very huge sum of money belonging to adeceased person (MR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN). He is foreigner,unfortunately He is now late as he was amongst those that was Killed inthe recent plane crash as you can confirm through this websitehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

I shall guide you with all diligence and legal processes to ensure thesmooth perfect success of this transaction and the Funds (US$45Million)must be transfered into your own bank account in your country as thenewly approved beneficiary. Upon my personal finding on this matter, Ikept this information secret to myself until now that I am contactingyou. In view of the fact that the deceased customer is a foreigner(from a different country), it is Officially important for theinvolvement of a foreigner who will pose as a next-of-kin. I will usemy exalted position in this company to present you as his Next of Kinas you can be his relative, friend or Cousin and the Mone(US$45Million)will be Safely transfered into your own bank account in your country.

Before I made up my mind to contact you, I have concluded everyarrangement to ensure that you receive the funds successfully as thenext of kin. Please include your telephone/fax number/ Home Addresswhen replying this mail and I will give you more information as soon asyou indicate your willingness to assist in this transaction. We willuse our positions to get all internal documentations to back up theclaims. The whole Procedures will last only 5 working days to get thefund retrieved successfully Without trace even in future.

Please I need the following:
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER
3. HOME ADDRESS / COMPANY'S NAME AND ADDRESS.
4. BANK ACCOUNT (WHERE YOU WILL WANT THE MONEY TO BE TRANSFERED INTO)
5. YOUR AGE AND SEX.

After successful conclussion of this transaction, we shall share themoney 50-50 (50% for you and 50% for me). I await your good responsetoday. Thanks and remain blessed. I require you to maintain theconfidentiality of this transaction because it is important due to thefact that I am still in active services to the PRUDENTIAL INSURANCECOMPANY. Your earliest response to this matter is very important.

Yours truly,

MR. MARK PAUL

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam