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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment " (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)
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "million united state dollars" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +447031943001 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • rev_thomaswest@priest.com

Fraud email example:

From: thomas west <rev.thomaswest@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:22:44 +0000
Subject: UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION / PAYMENT NOTIFICATION


UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND WORLD BANK FACT-FINDING & SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR SPECIAL DUTIES. UNIT 10-11,48 HORN LANE,W3 6NP, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM. TEL/FAX:+447031943001 /+448712390134 Email: rev_thomaswest@priest.com Special duties reference **UNO/WBF LM-05-371** **ORDERING CONTRACTOR: UNO/WBF ? SG DIPLOMATIC BOX 55KG The World Bank Group, Fact Finding & Special Duties office In conjunction with the United Nations Organization, has received part of your pending payment with reference number (LM-05-371)amounting to (Ten Million United State Dollars) out of your contractual/inheritance funds from our ordering contractor Bank quoting reference to UNO/WBF LM-05-371, the said payment is been arranged in a Security-proof trunk box weighing 75kg padded with synthetic nylon. According to information gathered from the bank's security computer we were notified that you have waited for so long to receive this payment without success, we also confirmed that you have not met all statutory requirements in respect of your pending payment. You are therefore advised to contact our Payment Clearance Department to obtain necessary information to the Security courier service company that is specialized in sending diplomatic materials and information from one country to another, which also has diplomatic immunity to carry consignment / trunk (Box) such as this. This office has met with this Security courier service and concluded shipping arrangement with them, therefore shipment will commence as soon as we have your go ahead order, the diplomat who will be bringing in this Consignment trunk (Box) to you is an expert and has been in this line of work for so many years now, so you have notting to worry about. After all arrangements we have concluded that you must donate (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to a charity organization we designate to you as soon as you receive your inheritance fund. To this effect, in your response you should send to us a promissory note promissing to donate the stated amount and also with your address where you will like the consignment trunk Box to be delivered to. Please maintain topmost secrecy as it may cause a lot of problems if found out that we are using this media to help you. Therefore you are advised not to inform anyone about this until you received your consignment box. The above requirement qualifies you for final remittance process of the received sum. The below information would be needed for proper filing and to enable safe delivery: Full Name Address Occupation Nationality Mobile/phone number Fax Age Sex Please confirm message granted with "GO AHEAD ORDER" on mail: rev_thomaswest@priest.com Congratulations. Yours Faithfully Rev. Thomas West Director, Special Duties UNO/WBF.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam