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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",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)
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • markkofi_sec@hotmail.fr

Fraud email example:

From: Daniel Bronze <danielbronze9@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 03:48:15 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT MY CLERK IN BENIN REPUBLIC FOR YOUR GIFT



Dearest Friend,
The Bank finally transfered the fund to Mr. Saeed Kabiru's Swiss account the new investor who began to finance the trasaction after all we went through.You have to contact my secretary in Benin Republic to enable him send your own check of $1,000,000.00 which I set aside to compensate you for your initial effort towards the success of the transaction.

Contact Person:
Mr MARK KOFFI
E-mail: markkofi_sec@hotmail.fr
Tel:002297472235

contact him and re-confirm your address and telephone number to him in order to avoid wrong dispatchment of your check or any blamish.I am very busy right now it has been a hectic moment you understand what I mean.I have already passed instruction to him and he will send the cheque accross to you as soon as you contact him.

I am currently in Paragua and I'll be in kuwait soon for negotiation of a lucrative business
venture and will inform when I return back to France in the next 6 months precisely.
Kind Regards,
Daniel Bronze



---------------------------------
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A Smarter Email.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam