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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. ABUBAKAR YUSUF" <telegramdept@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: telexxdept@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 13:20:34 +0100
Subject: AMOUNT VALUED AT $13.5 Million


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
GARKI-ABUJA.
P.M.B 1036

Attn:Sir,
Attention is drawn over the transfer of your payment into your account as we
recorded in our computronic system for immediate remittance.

We do wait instruction from the Governor to transfer into your account the
amount due to you.

We do hope that you do the necessary to enable us facilitate the transfers.
Anticipating your urgent response.

Your's Sincerely,
Mr.Abubakar Yusuf.
Director.KTT Dept CBN.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam