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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)
  • "from the desk of" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Merck Pharmaceuticals Uganda Ltd <merckuganda5@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <merck_katunga@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:57:18 -0400
Subject: From Merck Pharmaceuticals (Business Assistance Needed)



From the Desk ofDr.Paul KatungaMerck & Co Inc UgandaDear Friend,After due consultations with my partners I wasmandated to contact you.We need your assistance and weneed it very urgently too.Our Company widely known as "MERCK AND COMPANY" isentangled in $2.3 billion tax settlement dispute withInternal Revenue Service, United States OfAmerica.(click on the below news website forinformation on this matter)http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=167773,00.htmlhttp://article.wn.com/view/2006/11/08/Merck_says_it_faces_56_billion_in_tax_liability/http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1442180720070214At present we believe that the non resolution willhave a material adverse effect on the company'sfinancial position or liquidity.Hence as present we decided to seek help from you toenable us use your company account to receive thetotal sum of $75million Dollars sales supply proceedsfrom the Government of Uganda in EASTERN AFRICA.I received your contact email confidentialy from afriend who is a chartered Accountant,i was informedand assured that you are a very trusted and reliableperson.Our intentions are good because we want to avoidfurther tax disputes until we settle our matter withIRS.Please if you are interested in helping us,youwill retain 5% of the total fund received for yourassistant.Please send me your confidential contactemail,telephone and private fax number for moreinformation.This is a highly confidential matter.Best RegardsDr.Paul KatungaMerck & Co Inc
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam