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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.

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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)
  • "million 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Bernard Afonso" <bernard.afonso@klikni.cz>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 20:15:00 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend,


Dear Friend,
I know you would be surprised to see this massage;however I wish to
introduce you to a business deal which would bebeneficial to both of us and
which has to be kept confidential for thepurpose thereof. My name is
Barrister Bernard Afonso, a lawyer based inCote d'Ivoire.

I wish to seek for your consent to present you as nextof kin to my late
client since you are from the same country. He is ANational of your country
who died early last year with his wife and twochildren during the ethnic war
in Cote d'Ivoire. He left behind US$10.5million dollars, but no next of kin
to inherit his money.

As hislawyer, I have every document concerning the deposit and the bank.
Thebank is aware of his death and is waiting for the next of kin to come
upfor the claims.
With your assistance and my professional advice wewould have the money
transferred to your account as the next of Kin andBeneficiary to the fund.
Meanwhile, I have agreed to give you 40% uponusing your account to receive
the fund.

I look forward to yourpositive response and would like you to contact me
immediately forfurther discussion, It will be very important you send along
yourtelephone number so I can call to give you further information.


Best Regards.
Barr. Bernard Afonso,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam