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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  
• 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.
  • stanleyadaniels@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Ray Adams <ray.adams13@live.com>
Reply-To: <ray.adams@live.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 07:53:17 -0800
Subject: For your Compensation



Dear Friend,How are you today? I Hope all is well with you and your family and I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transaction,i am sorry for presenting and using someone else in your name to get that transaction successfull and finished. Due to logistic reasons and your inconsistance towards the transaction which is best known to you. Right now I want to inform you that I have successfully cleared the check/fund to someone else account in China who was capable of assisting me in this great venture that have been over and successfull. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of (US$850,000.00) Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United State Dollars only. I have authorized my secretary in Cotonou Benin republic (MR STANLEY A. DANIELS) whom I deposited the cheque/money with to send you the international certified bank cashable cheque. My dear friend I will like you to contact Mr. Stanley Daniels for the collection of this international certified bank draft. His name and contact address is as follows:Mr. Stanley Daniels A.Email: stanleyadaniels@gmail.com Contact Stanley Daniels, Because at the moment I'm very busy here in China because of the investment projects which myself and my new partner are having at hand in Taiwan, Finally remember that I have forwarded instructions to Mr. Stanley Daniels on your behalf to send the bank cheque of $850,000 to you as soon as you contact him. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart, Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you as soon as you receive the compensation and please do not get angry because that is what i have for now till i finish my project. Best regards.Dr. Ray Adams
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam