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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "million 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: johnjefferson@sify.com
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:55:24 +0500 (IST)
Subject: REQUEST


UN Refugee Camp,
Accra-Ghana,

Dear friend,

Good day to you It is my pleasure to write you this email after due considerations. My Name is Prince John Jefferson.Omanga.I am 20 years of age and from the Republic of Sierra-Leone. I got your contact from the office of the Ministry of commerce and tourism in Accra-Ghana in my search for a foreign partner. I and my little sister Janet Jefferson are presently in United Nations refugee Camp in Accra Ghana.My father is late he died from a bullet wound while my mother was kidnapped and killed by rebels. Before the death of my father in his hospital bed he disclose to me were he deposited two consignment boxes,he kept the boxes with a Security Company concealed in them is $33 Million United State dollars and diamond stones.But only declared to the security company as diamond stones

My father was a king and the head of diamond dealers associations in my community .I am seeking your assistance because it was my fathers intention to invest the money abroad, my father had declared the record with the security company at the time of deposit. My father wanted me to invest the money in a foreign country should death come no him so that I will be far away from his enemies, my father has always told me when he was still with me that he do not want my to follow his ways as king in my community rather I should follow my studies, If you will help me I will want you to invest the money into any profitable business in your country sincere I and my sister will travel back with you to your country when you come and complete my collage education there. For your assistance I will offer you 20% of the money I have all the legal documents with me which I can send to you via email attachment. I wait to hear from you
Yours Sincerely,

Prince John J Omanga.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam