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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 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.
  • top_chrono_courier_company20@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "raymond adimo" <raymondadimo54@ig.com.br>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:42:59 +0200
Subject: Contact the Courier Company Immediately


Dear Friend,

I am very happy to inform you about my success regarding the arrangement for
the delivery of your bank draft but the manager of EKO BANK told me that
before the cheque will get to you it will expire, so I asked him to cash the
$2.5 million dollars.

All the delivery arrangement of the $2.5 million in cash has been made with
TOP CHRONO COURIER COMPANY and you have to send your information to TOP
CHRONO COURIER COMPANY to enable them carry out the transaction.

Contact them with the below information and they will instruct you on how
you will receive the box, do comply with them and let me know when you
receive your box.

Here is the company information contact them immediately,

Name: Mr.Lucky Akanchawa
Email: top_chrono_courier_company20@yahoo.fr

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
4. MOBILE PHONE NUMBER
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
6.YOUR OCCUPATION
7.YOUR AGE

Please note that your consignment cash money was register with TopChrono
Courier Limited as African Cloth which you order for samples, do not reviews
the true content to the courier company to avoid diversion of your
consignment box.

Best Regards
Mr.Raymond Adimo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam