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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Victor Kone" <vickkone14@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mr.victor_kone@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 12:29:00 -0400
Subject: accept my sincere apologies if my request does not meet your
personal ethics.



Dear Friend,
I decided to first say sorry to you for such disclosure and invitation I am intent in this letter. Kindly accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics. Moreover, I decided to contact you after consecutive unsuccessfully attempt to contact a friend. Then, I was personally urged inwardly to contact you on your email. I am an American soldier. I and my superior members discovered funds belonging to fleeing regime leaders in Iraq. For your more understand view BBC news first: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm During the operation I with one of my superior friend safely secured $30 Million United State dollar, the location of the amount will be disclose to you later if we conclude in good agreement with you. Basically, since we are in government service and with our salary we can not defend how we get such money if it happens to be discovered such amount looted around us. We have decided to look for someone to help us relocate and keep this fund for us until we completely and safely invest it in profitable business. That is why I have contacted you. We I agreed that we shall divide the total funds in three parts, since you will make us three persons involved in this transaction. You will take 30% of the total fund, while 70% will be for me and my colleague. This business is confidential, and it should not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk involved whatsoever as it is only me and my partner that knows the present location of the money. If you are interested I will send you operational details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you? To ensure confidentiality, when you receive this letter, kindly reply me via e-mail and signifying your interest by including your confidential phone and fax numbers for quick communication and also your physical location address. Best regard,Mr. Victor Kone.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam