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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • tomascooper02@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: tomas cooper <tomas_cooper1@yahoo.it>
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 17:53:26 +0100 (CET)
Subject: WE NEED!!!!!!



Derby House Fabrics
Derby House,
59 Derby Street,
Manchester
M8 8HW.

Dear sir/madam,


COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE/BOOK-KEEPER NEEDED

Our company produces various clothing materials, batiks, assorted fabrics and traditional costume which we supply weekly to clients in the states.Our clients make payments for our supplies in form of Money Orders which are not readily cashable outside the United States. So we need someone in the States to work as our representative and assist us in processing the payments from our clients and he will be paid on percentages(10%).

Your job detail is to is receive these payments from our clients in the U.S,get it cashed at your bank, then deduct your percentage of (10%)and forward the rest company funds to us vis (WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER). Payments will be issued out in your full name and address,and they can be easily cashed at your bank.All I need is for you to foward your informations so that your employment process can begin earnestly,and also for it to be sent to our clients and for them to issue payments.

Also note that it will be sent to you through regular mails or courier services. As soon as we confirm any payment coming to you, I will let you know and I will give you the information you will need to be able to send funds to the company via western union money transfer. You can
visit our website on (www.derbyhousefabrics.co.uk) .

Looking forward to hear from you.

Email directly to:tomascooper02@yahoo.com

Warmest Regards,
Tomas Cooper
Recruitment Manager
(Human Resources Dept)

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam