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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348038606057 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • victorylawchamber@gmail.com
  • info_barr.henry@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MR FEMI WILLIAMS <femi_will1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mr.femi_williams_lyon@yahoo.fr>
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:46:12 -0400
Subject: FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT,PLS ACCEPT IT WITH GOOD FAITH....(B24916967C)



FROM MR FEMI WILLIAMSPERSONNAL EMAIL: mr.femi_williams_lyon@yahoo.frGood news Friend,How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition, I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to someone else account who was capable of assisting me in this great venture through the help of the diplomat I told you about. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $750,000.I have authorized my new lawyer who is now also my legal adviser to issue you international certified bank cheque cashable at your bank. My dear friend I will like you to contact the lawyer for the collection of this international certified bank cheque.The name and contact address of the lawyer is as follows.VICTORY LAW CHAMBERCONTACT PERSON: MR OKAFOR HENRYPHONE: +234-803-860-6057Email: victorylawchamber@gmail.com or info_barr.henry@yahoo.com At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I and my new partner are having at hand in Paris France. Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to the Lawyer on your behalf to send the bank cheque to you as soon as you contact him without delay.Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.Also before I forgot, I have given my Lawyer your Serial Number which serves as your personal secret code to enable you received your cheque properly and correct without two or more people claiming to be who they are not to my Lawyer,and also when replying to my Lawyer do specify this code number stated below at the Subject of any mail or attachment coming from you or from your spouse.I will advise you is to verify your current contact Address to my Lawyer when forwarding it to him, and also keep it away from your friends and public because they might be the one who will write to my lawyer without your consent and received your Bank Cheque without your consent, because when showing them this mail they will be smart enough to copy your code Number that also serves as the Serial Number to enable them get the Cheque from my Lawyer without him acknowledge any means of fraud, so be careful enough my friend.Here is your code Number: (B24916967C)Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you soon.RegardsMr. Femi Williams
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam