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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!
  
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• 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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22509642161 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: john paul <jj058paul@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <dr_john_paul@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:35:10 +0000
Subject: DR JOHN PAUL



FROM:JOHN PAULTEL: +225-09642161FAX: +225-224-91144 Dear Friend, I am Mr .John Paul working in department of fund release order in one of the prime banks here in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire, I know the letter might come to you as suprise, but take it like your own deal. I need your services in a confidential matter regarding certain funds out of a family beneficiary deposit account as such i decided to establish contact with you in good faith. The funds in question originated from contract executed by the deceased through the Department of Works and Housing here in Cote D’Ivoire, the contract worth of USD18, 500,000.00 Million Dollars, of which on process of transferring the money to him, as you know that thousands of people have died after the Tsunami violent earthquake under the sea near northern Indonesia area where he died with his family. Hence, we involve you to authenticate this claim as the beneficiary. Meanwhile, his money has been signed for payment in my office before I will give order to the bank for final endorsement of his money as nobody knows what is going on except my assistant and me. Below is the man’s information: Contract Sum: USD18, 500,000.00 Million Dollars. Contract number: FMA/FMF/3-X99/2003. Payment Approval Nominal Code: will be given to your response to partake. On your response and willingness to assist i shall be giving you more information on the way forward I wait your urgent reply Best regards, Mr.John PaulN/B :Don’t forget to include your direct telephone/fax number.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam