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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Financial Solutions Services" <revsmith@colombia.com>
Reply-To: revraymondsmith_unitednation@live.com
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 04:47:00 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend


Dear Friend,

It has come to our notice that individuals in Nigeria and other parts of
the World go about the internet ripping people like you off their hard
earned money, which is why we are contacting you.

My name is Rev. Raymond, presently the General Manager of Financial
Solutions Services.

Based on Scams and other fraudulent activities going on all over the
internet today, we contacted the United Nations and requested the list of
names of their unpaid beneficiaries, they sent us the list for our perusal
which your name and e-mail was included.

Coming to the reason we are contacting you, we are interested in the safe
transfer of your funds amounting to $11,500,000.00 (ELEVEN MILLION FIVE
HUNDRED HOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) with the United Nations as we know
you may be very skeptical about sending money to anybody for the transfer
process.

We wish to provide you with all the money required by the United Nations for
the release of your funds on the conditions that we will get 20% of your
total money once the United Nations transfers your funds to your account by
the United Nations Paying Bank Skye Bank Plc in Nigeria.

In line with the release of your money with the United Nations, you will not
be required to spend your hard earned money rather we will make available to
you any money needed by the United Nations or even the paying Bank.

Please do get back to us by writing to us through the e-mail address below,
if you are ok with the 20% we are demanding

E-MAIL: revraymondsmith_unitednation@live.com

We also advise you contact the United Nations paying Bank as the United
Nations has issued your Payment Approval Certificate and a fund release
order to Skye Bank Plc, we will give you directives on how to effectively
work toward the release of your money without stress or delay..

I await your response to this e-mail.

Regards,

Rev. Raymond Smith
General Manager
Financial Solutions Services.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam