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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)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "former president of liberia" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Chine Chi <chinechi3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <chinchi@inbox.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 16:53:47 +0100
Subject: DEAR FRIEND





Dear Friend,
I'm aware that this unexpected letter will come to you as a surprise I apologies for any inconvenience, but please do bear with me for I am only seeking for your help.I apologize if I have infringed on your privacy.
I am Mr.Chine Chi,the personel assistant to the former president of Liberia Mr,CHARLRS TAYLOR. During his regime in office, he deposited in my name the sum of $8.400000(eight million four hundred thousand united state dollars) to a security and finance company, This money was deposited as family treasure/valuables.When crisis out-break in my country Liberia, I flee to Calabar in Nigeria for refuge. As an asylum seeker,I do not have the modalities to put up claims to this fund.Hence, I am contacting you to assist me in transferring this fund into your account.All documents relating to the conclusion of this transaction is in my custody,which I will make available to you later. Based on this, I need you as a partner whom I can entrust and channel this money for a proper investment and in a joint venture platform.As soon as you contact me and finalize, through which you will sign a TRUST BOND or AGREEMENT concerning the safety of the transaction and more so establishing a mutual understanding in both parties.
Please be rest assured that the transaction is 100% risk free and must be treated with utmost confidentiality.Firstly 25% of the total sum has been mapped out for your assistance and also 25% for joint venture investment in your country while 50% will be kept in your account for my private use.I will be relying on your advise as regards investment in a blue chip stock in your country.
Could you please reply on receipt of this letter indicating your private Tel and fax numbers in your reply for easy communication.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Mr.Chine Chi
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam