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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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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:
  • "million united states 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)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • huberttoni@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "moore_ben2 Gazeta.pl" <moore_ben2@gazeta.pl>
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:27:57 +0100
Subject: Good Day my Dear,


Good Day my Dear,
It's has been long I heard from you. Well, I just want to use this medium to
thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the
funds,without any positive out come.I am obliged to inform you that I have
succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from
Paraguay.Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of
the lady accountant who works with the federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) and
she rendered a tremendous help to us.My new partner initiated this idea and
everything worked out successfully.In appreciation of your earlier
assistance to me in receiving the Funds.

I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $2.5 million United States
Dollars in Cashier cheque (two point five United States Dollars).This is
from my own share. I did this simply to show you that it is good to do good
things to the right people always. Presently, I am in Paraguay for
investment project with my own share under the advice of my
partner.Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist
me in transferring those fund despite that it failed us somehow. I will be
sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received your share
or not.Now contact my personal assistant in Benin Mr Hubert Tony, his e-mail
address is (huberttoni@yahoo.fr)

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy together after all the suffering at that time. In the moment, I am very
busy here in Paraguay because of the investment projects, which the new
partner and I are having at hand so fill free to get in touch with young
Hubert to send the cheque to you without any delay.


Best Regards,
Hon.Smith Giff.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam