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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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 pounds" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "amala shawa" <amalashawa3@gala.net>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:34:05 -0700
Subject: My Appreciation,


My Appreciation,

I am happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred
under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay after I waited for your
response to proceed, you could not response to my mail due to how urgent the
transaction required because its situation I couldn't wait to inform you
before I contacted another partner who understood the urgency of the
transaction now we have successful transfer the funds to my new partner
account here in Paraguay.

Presently I'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share of the
total sum. meanwhile,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to
assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.

Now contact my messenger in Benin his name is Mr.Vincent Usman because he is
the person I kept your draft under his care which I splinted in two cheque
booklet ( £600 ) Six Hundred Thousand Pounds each so it will be easy for
clear as bank advised,i also left 100Pounds for him as cost of posting of
your cheque his E-mails Addresses( vinusman@live.com ) ask him to send you
the total of £1.2 Million Pounds which i kept for your compensation for all
the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter. I appreciated
your efforts at that time very much.

So feel free and get in touched with Mr.Vincent Usman and instruct him where
to send the Cheque to you. Please do let me know immediately you receive it
so that we can share the joy after all the sufferers at that time. in the
moment, I;m very busy here because of the investment projects which me and
the new partner are having at hand,

Finally,remember that I had forwarded instruction to Mr.Vincent on your
behalf to receive that Cheque, so feel free to get in touch with Him, he
will send the Cheque to you without any delay.remember to contact him on his
private Email ( vinusman@live.com )

Regards,
Dr.Amala Shawa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam