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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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.

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "commission of 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. )
  • "cashiers check" (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.
  
• 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.

Fraud email example:

From: magret hatch <m_hatch1111@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <m_hatch111@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 03:30:16 -0500
Subject: FROM MAGRET



R.K GOLD LIMITED1 Aylesdone Court, 55 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA10 4BL, UKDear Sir/madam I am Magret Hatch, Human Resources Manager of RK Jewelry Company located in UK. We deal in gold articles such as Jewelries assorted Necklaces, Pendants, Bracelets and gold costumes worldwide. Our website is www.rkgoldlimited.co.uk We are currently in search of a book-keeper/company representative who would assist us in receiving payment from our customers in America/Canada/Asia and other part of Europe. This offer is absolutely legal and you do not need any capital to start. Your Job description is as follows:(1) You would receive payment on our behalf from our various clients which would come in the form of cashiers checks, travelers checks and official checks.(2) You then get the payments deposited/cashed at your bank.(3) After the payment must have cleared by your bank, you then deduct a commission of 10% of each payment you would be receiving, as been our representative and then send the balance money via western union to any of our offices that you would be instructed. HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN? 10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 7000 USD via checks on our behalf. You will cash the money and keep $700 (10% from $7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 12%! Our payments will be issued out in your name, as we would inform our clients to do so. If you are interested in this offer, kindly provide us with the below details.1) Full name2) Physical Address (where to send payment)3) Phone numbers4) Age & Sex5) Present Occupation6) Nationality Thanks for your anticipated action. And we hope to hear back from you. Magret Hatch (Human Resources Manager)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam