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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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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:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447077084534 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Fredrick Nicolas" <londonhsbc@fastwebmail.it>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 05:31:50 -0700
Subject: FROM OFFICE OF MR. FREDRICK NICOLAS


*FROM OFFICE OF MR. FREDRICK NICOLAS
HS BC Holdings pl c
8 Canada Square
London E14 5HQ
TELEPHONE, +44 70 77 08 45 34,*


* *

*I am Mr. Fredrick Nicolas, The Director,Telex/Atm Department of HSBC Bank
London, this is to bring to your notice that HS BC Bank London has been
MANDATED by the World Bank Group to take over the release of all the out
standing money Transaction originated from any part Of Africa and European
counties as Contract payment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due to too
many complaints from the International Community for corrupt practice of
some African bank officials,*

* *

*Subsequently, the World Bank Group, European Union and Economic for West
Africa community has resolved and agreed that funds should be released
through an HSBC ATM ELECTRONIC CARD hence your Name/Email address appears as
one of the approved fund beneficiaries whom their fund was Successfully
cleared recently from Terrorist and Money laundry, therefore your money will
be Released to you through HSBC ELECTRONIC ATM CARD on Your contact to this
office through email correspondence.*

* *

*On this process you are advised to forward your direct telephone
numbers,complete names and mailing address to this office for immediate
release of your fund to you through Electronic ATM CARD as resolved, Note
that Ten Million US Dollars Only (US10,000,000.00) was allocated and
Downloaded into an ATM Card in your name, Be also informed that the Fund
Approvals/
Authorization document Including Anti terrorist Clearance Certificate and
the fund's affidavit of Eligibility was issued in your name which is ready
to copy to you on your contact to this office,*


*Finally, You are expected to communicate this office on receipt of this
message with above mentioned information without delay as we are standby to
serve you better,
Find attached copy of my official Identification
Thanks for Your Cooperation.*


*MR. Fredrick Nicolas
Director, HS BC LONDON
TELEPHONE, +44 70 24 02 80 56,
Official Email:fredricknicolas@live.com <Email%3Afredricknicolas@live.com>*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam