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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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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:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Sara Maria" <mariasa3@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: mariasara52@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 03:34:51 -0700
Subject: I NEED YOUR HONEST HELP.


My Dear,

I apologize if this mail message does not suit your personal or business
ethics.I write with sincerity to seek your cooperation and assistance. I am
writing from the hospital with my laptop and would need no telephone
conversation to this effect because of my health problem. I am Mrs Maria
Sara from Philippine. I was married to Late Mr.Mohammad Akin who worked with
Philippine Embassy in UK before his death in 2005. We were married for
eleven years without a child. However,before his death we were both born
again Christian.Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child
outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband
was alive he deposited ( Thirteen Million,five hundred thousand US Dollars)
in a security Company in UK.

He deposited the fund as family treasure however he did not declare the real
content of the deposit to the security, rather he deposited it as gold bars.
My intentions was to clear the fund from the security company at the middle
of last year for investment outside the country.But unfortunately i develop
a cancer of the lungs sickness my condition is not getting better anymore
and I have decided to look for a foreigner who can invest this fund the way
I am going to instruct herein, However,I want a Trust worthy,reliable and
God fearing Man or Woman that will utilize this fund the way i am going to
instruct him. First i would want you to assure me that you would handle this
project diligently as i would recommend.


Having said this i would need the following informations from you . 1)Your
full name and address. (2)Your marital status 3)Your
occupation/Profession/Direct phone number As soon as I receive your reply I
shall contact a lawyer who would clear the fund from the security company as
i have all the document to the deposit.

The lawyer would also assist you in shipping the fund to you through
international diplomatic means to your country for the purpose of investment
in your country. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated
herein. I wish to receive your response immediately. And please pray for me.

I remain yours sincerely,
Mrs Maria Sara.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam