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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:

• 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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • mrsadematzei@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • infoadelamatz@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mrs.adelamartinez4 Gazeta.pl" <mrs.adelamartinez4@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:45:32 +0200
Subject: Greetings


Dear,

I am Adela Martinez, bank manager of Banco Banacaja Madrid branch in Spain.

I have urgent and very confidential business proposition for you .On June 6,
2003, a British contractor with the Spanish petroleum corporation (REPSOL),
Mr. Barry Kelly made a numbered fixed deposit for twelve calendar months,
valued at US$12,000,000.00 in my Branch. On maturity, we sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we
sent reminder and finally his contract employers, the Spanish petroleum
corporation wrote to inform us that Mr. Barry Kelly died from an automobile
accident in Berlin, that he died without MAKING A WILL, and all attempts by
the British Embassy to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore, made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Barry Kelly
in fact was an immigrant from Bahamas and only recently obtained British
citizenship few years ago. He did not declare any next of kin or relations
in all his official documents, including his Bank deposit paperwork.

The total of US$12,000,000.00 is still sitting in my bank as dormant
Account. No one will ever come forward to claim it, and according to Spanish
law after 5years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Spanish
Government if the account owner is certified dead. Sequel to these fact, I
am looking for a foreigner who will stand as the next of kin to MR.BARRY
KELLY. After processing the paper works that will reflect you as the next of
kin to our late client you will henceforth become the new and sole
beneficiary of the total funds. The total of USD12m will then be paid into
an account that you will provide for us in the sharing ratio of 70% for me,
30% for you. There is no risk at all, and all the paper work for this
transaction will be done by me using my position and connection in the banks
in Spain. And the entire transaction shall be governed by the banking
procedures of Spain.You have my words.
This business transaction is guaranteed. Hence you should indicate your
interest by replying immediately with your Phone/fax Number or otherwise
destroy this letter for my sake and my family.

However if you consider it ok, please observe the utmost confidentiality,
and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both
of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your
country. You can also send your reply to my private email address (
Mrsadematzei@aim.com <infoadelamatz@aim.com> ) Thank you so much and looking
forward to receive your urgent reply.

All my regards.

Mrs Adela Martinez

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam