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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.

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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
  • vadimpetrovcn3@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Vadim .A. Petrov<vadimpetrovcn5@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 02:00:43 +0800
Subject: Good Day To You ( BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP REQUIRED ).

Good Day,
Kindly accept my apology for contacting you via this medium. Although,we have never met before. Nevertheless, I have
every reason to believe that you are a highly respected and trustworthy personality. I got your contact through your
country's chambers of commerce and Industry.Although, I don't know you personally but I believe God has made this
contact possible and also hope you will not disappoint me for trusting you. I am Mr.Vadim Alexandrovitch Petrov, Bank
Manager of URALSIB BANK OAO RUSSIA.I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.On November 6,
2003,a British Oil consultant/contractor with YUKOS OIL COMPANY (Russia's Largest Oil Company), Made a numbered time
(Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$40,000,000.00 (Forty Million United States Dollars) in my
branch.Upon maturity,I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply.I found out that he died
without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.I will like you to provide immediately
your full names and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you
in place as the next of kin.A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide will then facilitate the
transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to share in
the ratio of 50% for me and 50% for you. Awaiting your urgent reply via my email address. vadimpetrovcn3@yahoo.com.hk.
Regards,
Vadim A. Petrov.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam