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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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "abraham osei" <abraham.abrahamosei.osei40012@gmail.com>
Reply-To: abraham.abrahamosei.osei4@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:30:28 +0100
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL


Dear Friend,

Compliments of the season. You will be surprised to receive this mail, due
to the fact that we have not discussed on phone or met before. I am one of
member of directors with one of the biggest bank in Ghana.

A foreigner, late Mr. John Schelpert, a GOLD merchant in Ghana, until his
death years ago in an Egypt Air Flight 990 banked with us, and he had a
closing balance as at the end of July 2005, worth $17,500,000USD, the bank
now expects a next of kin as beneficiary to come forward for the claims.
Valued efforts have been made by this bank to get in touch with any of his
relatives or member of his families have been unsuccessful.

Recently one of the chairmen of the board of directors of the bank called me
and told me in confidence and trust to source for a reliable foreigner who
would stand as our banker's next of kin. I seek for your permission to
present you as his next of kin. You will be presented to the bank as a
distance family and there will be documents to cover it up.

I assure you that this transaction is risk free and as soon as I receive the
acknowledgement of the receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual
business proposal I will furnish you with the necessary modalities and
disbursement ratio to suit both parties without any confusion.

I also require your tell/fax no if you have any. Waiting to hear from you as
soon as you receive this mail.

I await your urgent and positive response.

Best Regards,

Mr. Abraham Osei.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam