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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 "dying widow" scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348079055701 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. ROLLY CORAY." <rol87cor@excite.com>
Reply-To: dhl_expressservices@live.com
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 17:46:25 -0400 (EDT)
Subject:


With Respect!I am Mrs. Rolly Coray, suffering from cancer ailment. I was married to Engineer Mond Coray, an English man who is now dead. My husband was into private practice all his life before his death.Our life together as man and wife lasted for three decades without a child. My husband died after a protracted illness. My husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged as we have passion for people who cannot help themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament. My husband died leaving the sum of 4.8 Million United States Dollars which he derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market.Presently, this money is with DHL EXPRESS DELIVERY, WEST AFRICA. The Confirmable Bank Draft has been deposited with DHL EXPRESS DELIVERY, WEST AFRICA.I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbands effort to fund the upkeep of widows,orphans, destitute, physically challenged
children, barren women and people who are genuinely handicapped financially.I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money, and i have been told by doctors that i have very limited time to live. Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein. If you can give me this assistance, you can then contact DHL EXPRESS DELIVERY, WEST AFRICA as soon as possible to know when they will deliver the package to you because of the expiring date.For your information, I have paid the delivery Charges, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.The only money you will send to the DHL COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($275.00 US) Dollars only, which is for the Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far. Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $275.00
US Dollars. I would have paid for the security keeping fee but they said no because they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact DHL EXPRESS DELIVERY, WEST AFRICA immediately with the following informations:Full Names:Telephone:Country:Age:Occupation:Delivery Address:DISPATCH OFFICER: Mr. Carthy Bruce.Contact Number: +2348079055701Email Address: expressservices_dhl@yahoo.comDo not take this as a joke.You are adviced to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $275.00 US Dollars for their immediate action and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get to your address.Let me repeat again, don't take this as a joke and try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $275.00 US Dollars for their
immediate action. You should also update me via email as soon as you receive your Draft.Sincerely,Mrs. Rolly Coray.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam