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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:
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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:

• 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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "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.
  • george_kweku@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Larry Jones" <larryjones2005@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 02:45:54 -0700
Subject: YOUR CEOMPENSATION. CONTACT MR. GEORGE IN OCEANIC BANK GHANA.


Hello my good friend.




How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. You may not
understand why this mail came to you.But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded. I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from UK England who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.



I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into
your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to
inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to
my new partner's account in England that was capable of assisting me in this
great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness
you shown during the course of the transaction. I want to compensate you and
show my gratitude to you with the sum of US$1,000.000.00. I have left a
certified international bank draft for you worth of USD$1,000,000.00
cashable anywhere in the world.



My dear friend I will like you to contact the account officer on his direct
email address at:



Name: Mr. George Kweku.
Direct Email: george_kweku@sify.com
Oceanic Bank Plc.
Accra Ghana.



I authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you whenever you ask him for
it. At the moment,I'm very busy here because of the investment projects,
which I and the new partner are having at hand.Please I will like you to
accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart,
You are required to furnish him with the below information to enable him
deliver the cheque to you,



1.FULL NAMES:______________________
2.ADDRESS:____________ __________
3.E-MAILADDRESS:_______________
4.TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________________



Hoping to hear from you.


Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Larry Jones.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam