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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.

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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 us 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Sgt Allen Brown" <sgtallenbrown001@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 17:05:14 -0700
Subject: From Sgt Allen Brown


Hello,

My name is Sgt.Allen Brown, an American soldier, I was serving in the
military of the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq.I am in Iraq at the moment, I
and my partner moved one of the boxes containing funds which we believe is
belonging to Saddam Hussein in March 2003, the total fund in this box is
$12,000,000.00 (Twelve million US dollars), this fund had been moved via a
safe Diplomatic Courier Service to a secured security company, Click on this
link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

Basically since we are working for the American government we cannot keep
these funds, we are 3 that are involved. This means that you will take 30
percent, I will take 30 percent, and my partner will take 30 percent, 10
percent will be kept aside for expenses.

This business is confidential, and we plead that it should not be discussed
with anyone.There is no risk involved as we left this fund in the Security
company without declaring it's contents for this period of time to make sure
that the fund will be safe for transfer and investment. If you are
interested I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good
partner that we can trust and will assist us.kindly send me an e-mail
signifying your interest including your telephone/fax numbers for quick
communication and also your contact details. I assure you that this
transaction is risk free and its success is 100% guaranteed.

Please get in touch with me

Yours-in-service,

Sgt.Allen Brown.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam