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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • kateshalom@i12.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "KATE SHALOM" <kate4@torba.com>
Reply-To: kateshalom@i12.com
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 10:46:35 +0200
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE


URGENT ASSISTANCE

Dear Friend,

I am Mrs. Kate Shalom Sierra-Leonean woman, the wife of late Dr. John
Shalom. Until his death my husband was the Director General and boss of the
Gold and Diamond Mining Corporation in Kanema Sierra-Leone. On April 6th
2001 the militia forces loyal to the Government of Ahmed Tijan Kabbah
invaded the Diamond and Gold mine and assassinated my husband mistaking him
for his brother Mike Shalom who was then the deputy leader of the rival
rebel militia called the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) headed by Foday
Sankoh.

Due to this development, I flew out of my country to a close country for
safety of my life and my old son John Shalom Jr. I am a widow; my husband
before his death deposited with a finance house the sum of US$5 Million
(Five Million United States Dollars) for safe keeping. I implore you to
assist me receive this fund into a safe account in your country or any safer
place as the beneficiary where it can easily be invested into a business.

I have plans to invest the money in your country in Liquid, Real estate or
Industry or any lucrative area of business. Please, as you show interest to
assist me and my only son; do reply soonest by sending me your contact
detail

Your name:
Address:
Private mobile number:
Age:
Occupation:

Once the above detail has been received, I will use the required information
to forward for the release of the fund on your behalf. Reply me only via my
confidential email: kateshalom@i12.com

Regards,
Mrs. Kate Shalom

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam