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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • slyvesterdavid2000@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "john johnson" <johnjohnson1@telegraf.by>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 10:53:44 +0200
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY FOR YOUR COMPENSATION


My Dear Friend,

This is to thank you for your effort. I understand that your hands were tied
due to one reason or the other. Not to worry. I have succeeded; the money
has been transferred into the account provided by a newly found friend of
mine in Australia.

I want to compensate you for your past assistance and commitments, I have
dropped an International Certified Bank Draft of $1,200.000.00 for you.

I am in London with my family presently. I do intend to establish some
business here, and possibly buy some properties and I will still want to
invest in your country too.

I am compensating you because I received a call from my pastor who was
praying for me during the transaction, he said I should compensate you for
your past effort.

Contact my account officer in Benin Republic, Mrs.SLYVESTER DAVID, his email
is (Slyvesterdavid2000@yahoo.fr) forward my mail to her,And give her your
information as stated below, then ask her to send the bank draft to you.

ADDRESS================
AGE====================
COUNTRY================
PHONE NUMBER===========

Take good care of your self.
Regards,
Smith JOHN J.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam