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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "deduct your 10%" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
  • "money orders " (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • johnsmithinvestments@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: john smith <smith.j20@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <johnsmithinvestments@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:20:23 +0000
Subject: REPRESENTATIVE WANTED



Hello,My name is john smith, I am an artist and the owner of Pinnacle Artworld.I make and sell original Sculptural Paintings to galleries and private collectors from all around the world.I have experienced difficulties collecting payments from my customers in the U.S.,as they pay with checks and money orders and these take a lot of time to clear in the U.K., as they are out of country checks.I need you to help me receive and process such payments. I am willing to pay you 10% of the amount involved in any transaction you process on my behalf.All that you will have to do is to receive the payments (normally as certified checks issued in your name),take the checks to your bank and cash them,deduct your 10% and disburse the balance as per my instruction.And will appreaciate if you have home equity line of credit account for our bigger payment transaction depending on your equity credit limit.I shall need your complete name,address and phone numbers for us to proceed.IF INTERESTED, PLEASE REPLY TO:johnsmithinvestments@yahoo.com Regards,john smithEMAIL:johnsmithinvestments@yahoo.com447024023454
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam