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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
• 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.
  • nelsonbaku@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Nelson Baku" <nl_0bk@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: nelsonbaku@myway.com
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:34:58 +0400
Subject: ATTN/PLS,

ATTN/PLS,

l humbly and honestly solicits your immediate assistance though this unsolicited mail may come to you as a surprise due to the high level of crime emanating from the internet.

I want to transfer an amount of US$25 million (US$25,000,000.00) into your account for investment into your company, hotel and real estate development in your country.
This money was generated over the years by my late father who was a wealthy Diamond merchant in my country Sierra Leon. My father died shortly after the war in my country.

I have all the relevant documents covering this fund. I am presently residing in Ghana where the money is lodged in a bank for onward transfer into your account/company account. Please feel free to contact immediately if you are interested for the necessary proceedings. All i need is your full name and address, your direct telephone and fax numbers for easier communications.

Your share will be 30% of the total sum, while mine will be 65%. We shall keep 5% for expenses.
I want to invest this fund in your company and other good business in your country to yield much profit. Reach me immediately so that I can give you further details. Also provide me with direct tel/fax numbers to reach you.

Yours truly,
Nelson Baku.
Reply To This Address: nelsonbaku@myway.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam