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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • mr.olivesmithcosta@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Olive Smith" <mr.olivesmithmik011@officedeskworld.com>
Reply-To: mr.olivesmithcosta@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:20:31 +0100 (BST)
Subject: PLEASE REPLY ME BACK URGENTLY


Good day,

I know this proposal will come to you as a surprise especially when you do not know the writer, considering the huge sum of money involved which could make any apprehensive. Let me start by introducing myself to you.

I am Mr. Olive Smith: I work for Royal Bank of Scotland London. As a chief auditor I saw your contact during my private search at the information centre, want to believe that you will be very honest, committed and capable of assisting in this business venture.

It is based on this that I am contacting you to stand as the next-of-kin to a late client of the bank so that the total sum of $21.3million (twenty one million three hundred thousand united state dollars.) Will be released and paid to you as the beneficiary and the next-of-kin to the deceased.

All documents, and proof to enable you get the funds have been carefully worked out as I have secured from the different offices concerned for the smooth transfer of the fund to you.

If this proposal satisfies you, please respond to me with the following information.

Full name-
telephone/fax number-
address-
age-
sex-
occupation-

I await your urgent response; all the best and God bless you.

Sincerely,
Mr. Olive Smith
Private e-mail: mr.olivesmithcosta@yahoo.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam