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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Message Box" <messagebox1414@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: bsjeter@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:17:25 +0100
Subject: Attention For Charity


Attention for Charity,

My name is Barbara S. Jeter a crude oil dealer I am 66 yrs of age from
United States. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and have been in
the hospital in England. The illness has defied all forms of Medical
treatment, and right now I have about few months to live, according to the
medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for
anyone (not even myself) but my business and wealth. Though I am very rich,
I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my
business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this
as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make
all the money in the world.

I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
health. I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this
to be one of the last good deeds I do on this planet earth before any thing
could happen. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations
hear in England, Algeria, Malaysia and also the Tsunami victims. Now that my
health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once
asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the
money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan;
they refused and kept the money to them selves. Hence, I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of, is this huge cash deposit Of
Eight Million United States dollars ($8.000.000) that I have with a Finance
and Trust Company in Europe. I would want you to help me Collect this
deposit and distribute it to charity organizations in your country. I would
want you to keep 20% of the funds to yourself and dispatch the rest to
charity organizations.

Please reply this mail as soon as possible even if you cannot handle this
transaction on my behalf.

Regards,

Barbara S. Jeter

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam