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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Jones Martinz" <jonesmartinz001@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:55:15 +0200
Subject: FINAL PAYMENT VERIFICATION 2008


RE:DEBT RECONCILIATION/PART PAYMENT SETTLEMENT VALUE AMOUNT:{US$8M}

Attn: Beneficiary.

we Apologize for the delay of your part payment and all the Inconveniences
and hiccups that we might have caused you. However, we were having some
minor problems with our payment system, which is Inexplicable, and have held
us stranded and Indolent, not having the Prerequisite to devote our 100%
endowment in accrediting foreign payments. We apologized once again, from
the Records of outstanding debt's due for payment to: {INHERITANCE FUND
CLAIMS}

THIS OFFICE: DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH OVERSEA
CREDIT COMMISSION has been Mandated to Liquidate all outstanding debt; your
name and Particulars were discovered as next on the list due for outstanding
payment.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and can
be accelerated so that your payment can be processed and will be released to
you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in
our file, YOUR APPROVED outstanding part payment is valued {US$8,000.000.00}
{EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS} TAG with Reference NUMBER: PF-008006-US/01
Consequently You are advised to choose any preferred method of payment and
also indicate your area of concern for your payment:

METHOD OF PAYMENT:
{1} Wire transfer to your nominated bank account of your choice, as soon as
you get in touch with us.

In the light of this aforementioned, you are required to furnish this office
with the following information, as this will enable us to process and
release your fund without any further delay.

Your Full Name
Telephone and fax Numbers
Residential Address
Occupation
Bank details

Forward your urgent reply/payment informations for speedy release of your
long over-due part payment within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,
Jones Martinz
For: Debt Reconciliations Committee.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam