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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
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "here in london united kingdom" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "money order " (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: Collins Paul <collinspaulgalleriaartuk16@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <collinspaulgalleriaartuk@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:46:37 -0500
Subject: JOB OFFER!!



Good Day, My name is Collins Paul, I am an artist based in London (United Kingdom) coming from a modest background, and I emphasize simple pleasures and inspirational messages through my paintings. As a devoted Christian, I use my gift as a vehicle to communicate and spread inherent life-affirming values. I have recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer, I have been selling my art for the last 3 years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines, I have sold in galleries and to private collectors from all around the world. I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my artworks to Americans; they are always offering to pay with MONEY ORDER, which is difficult for me to cash here in London United Kingdom.I am looking for a representative in the states who will be working for me as a Part-Time worker and I will be willing to pay 10% for every transaction, which wouldn't affect your present state of work, someone who would help me receive payments from my customers in the states. I mean someone that is responsible and reliable, because the cost of coming to the state and getting payments is very expensive, we are working on setting up a branch in the state, and so for now I need a representative in the united state who will be handling the payment aspect for our company.These payments are in money order and they would come to you in your name if you were willing to assist as a representative. So all you need do is cash the money order deduct your percentage and Western Union Charges then wire the rest back.But the problem I have is trust, But I have my way of getting anyone that gets away with our money, you are to receive payments which will be sent to you by FedEx or ups from my business partners, which would come in form of a money order then u are to cash it and send the cash to me via Western Union. NOTE: All charges will be deducted from the money so you are rest assured that you wouldn't send a dime out of your personal money.All I need from you now to start up this is your trust and provide me the details as stated below: NAME.............................................ADDRESS..................................CITY...............................................STATE..............................................ZIP CODE: .....................................COUNTRY...................................AGE: .............................................SEX...............................................STATUS: ..........................................TEL/FAX NUMBERS...................................COMPANY NAME (If any).............................OCCUPATION........................................Thanks for your urgent response, once more and I hope to receive these details as soon as possible to enable me send to it to the Customers who are to pay me. Mr. Collins Paul.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam