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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.

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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:
  • "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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "mrmakeuba04 Gazeta.pl" <mrmakeuba04@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:24:33 +0100
Subject: Hello My good friend,


Hello My good friend,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?, You may not
understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we neverconcluded.I am using
this opportunity to inform you that the multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from India who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.
Presently I am in Hongkong for investment projects with my own share of the
total sum. meanwhile, I didn't forget your pastefforts and attempts to
assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us somehow.Now
contact my account Officer with Diamond Bank and ask him to send you the
CERTIFIED CASHIER CHEQUE of $3.2 000,000.00 which I wrote in your name in
appreciation of your past effort in helping me.Below is his contact
informations:

Name: Mr john mcscott
Diamond Bank
Cotonou
Republic Du Benin
Email: john_mcscott012@live.fr

So feel free and get in touched with him for the sending of the draft to any
address where you would prefer the draft to be mailed. Please do let me know
immediately you receive the draft and it would be cashed upon presentation
to any Bank in your
country At the moment, I am very busy here in Hongkong because of the
investment projects which me and the new partner are
having at hand but wouldappreciate ur update once the cheque is deliverred
to you.Thank you once again and remain bless.
Dr.MAKE UBA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam