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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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.

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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "receive a commission" (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. )
  • "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. )
  • "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "money orders " (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. )
  • "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. )
  • "cheques " (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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447024051486 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • thowemelon01@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas Daniel <thowemelon01@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:58:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Payment Representative Offer



Dear Sir/Madam,

How are you doing. I came across your email address and your brief
profile through an email listing affiliated with the US Chamber of
Commerce. I would be very interested in offering you a part-time
paying job in which you could earn allot.

My name is Thomas Daniel Owen Jr. and I am 52 years of age. I just
resigned my job as a research scientist for ARINI (Agricultural
Research Institute of Northern Ireland) and I now work as a freelance
consultant for the institute which gives me very much time to do my
own work which is basically being a freelance researcher who could
be employed by research institutes to do research projects anywhere
in the world.

Currently, I have just been granted a funding to head a research
project in the tropical regions of Asia regarding rare and
vulnerable plant species and this would be commencing very soon.
This research program will be funded and sponsored by some of my
American counterparts and Associates. But the only set back is
that the American counterparts want to make payments for the
research in form of US money orders/ cashier's cheque only and its
a known fact that money in such forms cannot be cashed outside the
US. Getting an accountant in the states or opening an account
would have been my best choice but I have a deadline to meet and
taking any of those choices would cost me time and a whole lot of
other requirements which I am not ready to deal with. This is where
I need to employ your assistance and service.

WHAT I NEED YOU FOR?
At this point, I will be glad if you could work with me as my
representative in the US. You will be working as my payment assistant
in charge of collecting and processing the payments from my Associates.
Since they will be making the payment in Money orders/ Cashier checks
made payable only in the US, you will be collecting this payments and
cashing them on my behalf. On agreement to been my representative in
the US, you will receive a commission of 10% of whatever amount of
payment you receive from my associates.

JOB DESCRIPTION?
1. Recieve payments (in form of money orders/checks) from my associates
via mail(UPS/FEDEX/DHL).
2. Cash the Payments at your Bank.
3. Deduct 10% which will be your commission/percentage on Payment
processed.
4. You are to remit the balance via Money Gram or Western Union Money
Transfer according to my instruction.

HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
10% from each transaction! For instance: On receiving 6000 USD via
cheques or money orders on my behalf. You will cash the payment and
keep 10% to yourself before remitting the balance! At the beginning
your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to
12%! For the research, I am expecting about the sum of $105,000 in
total from the clients(though the money will be sent in install mentally
due to the progress of my research). You could make over $10,500 for
the little time we will be working together.

ADVANTAGES?
You don't have to go out of your present daily activity in order to
engage in this Job(i.e. you can do this Work easily without leaving or
affecting your present Job).You will work as an independent contractor
right from your home /office. Your job is absolutely legal. You do not
need any capital to start(non of your personal funds is needed).

REQUIREMENTS?
18 years or older.
Legally capable.
Responsible, Reliable and Trustworthy.
Ready to work 3-4 hours per week.
Able to check and respond to emails often.
Easy telephone access.

IS THIS LEGAL?
Yes it is. As a matter of fact,my lawyer checked all legal provisions to
know if there is any dosmestic or international law against businesses
or deals in this manner.And he said its allowed by all LAWS, so know
that doing this work is safe and legitimate.

I hope all is well understood. I would be glad if you accept my
proposal and I intend to commence as soon as you are ready.
Please, to facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted,
do send promptly by email the following details below, to indicate your
interest.

NAME:

ADDRESS ( not p.o box):

OCCUPATION:

PHONE NUMBER:

AGE:

SEX:

I hope to hear back from you.

ALL REPLIES TO BE SENT TO : thowemelon01@yahoo.com.hk

Dr. Thomas Daniel Owen Jr.
No.189 Tianhe Bei Road,
Guangzhou, China.
Post Code: 510075.
Tel- +447024051486
Fax- +862034242355


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam