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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
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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.

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:
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
  • "cashiers check" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: James Bryant <jameesby@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 16:30:58 -0400
Subject: Thanks For your response



Hello,

Thanks for the reply.Sorry am getting back now.I sell Arts all over the world,have sold to galleries and to private collectors, I am always facing serious difficulties selling my art works to Americans, they are always offering to pay with either Money orders/cashiers check, which is difficult for me to cash here in United Kingdom.

The job does not entail anything stressfull, you can do this while you still continue with your full time job or school. All you need is to devote about 5 hours of your time in a week in a given period of time. The payment will be sent to you via UPS. When you get this payment which are for my Art Works, you will cash it at your bank, deduct 10% of the money for your effort and have the rest wired to me via western Union or money gram. Also you need to have a BANK ACCOUNT(I dont need of your bank account information) where cheque's can be cleared and most important you need to be HONEST with me, my painting starts from $2500USD and above and this contract will last for about 6 months till am fully establised in the USA.

I make background research on all my international customers before i sell my products.I also verify the checks for funds availability before it arrives to you. In an outstanding case of any problem,i offer a full guarantee to cover the fees. That way you can feel absolutely be protected and safe.

If you are still intrested,kindly provide me with the below listed information,so we can proceed:

FULL NAME:CONTACT ADDRESS:CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:

Regards,James Bryant
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam