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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
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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.

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million 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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • osmondinnocent@yahoo.co.in (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Innocent Osmond <innocent.osmond@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:12:53 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Urgent Sir/Madam


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Innocent Osmond, Accounts staff at the ECOBANK OF GHANA Accra Branch Accra-Ghana.This is to inquire of you to handle this transaction for mutual benefits and opportunity for both of us.

The transaction is about seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary of US$15 million dollars,belonging to a deceased who was a customer to this bank. He died along with his family during their vacation journey.The Fund is currently in his dormant account awaiting claim.

The bank is ready to release this fund to any of his relatives or next of kin. In that regard, i have decided to seek your consent for this prospective opportunity.

Kindly note that this transaction does not involve any risk.Necessary modalities will be worked out to enable us carry out the fund claim under legitimate arrangements. I have resolved to offer you 30% of the fund, 10% for sundry expenses that maybe incurred during the process of executing this transaction and 60% for me.

I will give you more details when I receive your Affirmative response.Email: osmondinnocent@yahoo.co.in.

Thanks and God bless.
Innocent Osmond.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam