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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • amina_lawal02@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: uka sunny <uka_sunny@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <ukasunny_2006@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:52:30 +0100
Subject: Good day my friend contact my secretary for you fund asap.



Dear friend,
Due to my tight schedules I could not contact youearlier before now. I'm happy to inform you about mysuccess in getting those funds transferred under thecooperation of a new partner. Presently I'm in Londonfor an investment projects with my own share of thetotal sum.
Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts andattempts to assist me in transferring those fundsdespite that it failed us some how and I am sorry forwhat happened. Now contact my secretary in BeninRepublic Cotonu her name is:
Mrs.Amina Lawal Email address:amina_lawal02@yahoo.fr
Tell her to send you the cheque, a total sum ofUS$800.000.00 which I kept for your compensation forall your past efforts and attempts to assist me inthis transaction, which was applied in your name Iappreciated your efforts at that time so much.
Now get in contact with my secretary Mrs.Amina Lawal and instruct her where to send the cheque to you.Please do let me know immediately you receive thecheque for us to share the joy together after our pastefforts at that time.
At this moment, I am very busy here because of theinvestment projects which my new partner and I arehaving at hand.
Finally, remember I have forwarded instruction to Mrs.Amina on your behalf for her to send you your cheque.
Best regards,
Mr.Uka Sunny

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam