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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "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)
  • ",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)
• 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.
  • mr_larry_appiah@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Larry Appiah" <mr_larry_appiah@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:34:19 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Foreign Partner


My Name is Mr. Larry Appia,

I am the personal accountant to Dr Paul Acquah (Gov, Bank of Ghana). We currently are seeking to invest USD$22,000,000.00 (Twenty Two Million United States Dollars Only) in small or large business enterprises.

We prefer to deal directly with legitimate owner of your organization or trust worthy person that is capable of handling transaction of this magnitude.. In respect to this, i would like to request full contact details where i can reach you, so we can discuss further details.

We have a stake of $22 million (USD), Available for investment. On receipt of your response, i shall send to you a scanned copy of my bank ID. So i would be honored if this is treated with utmost urgency and transparency. Waiting to hear from you ASAP.

Sincerely Yours,
P.A, GOV.BANK OF GHANA.
Email: mr_larry_appiah@yahoo.co.uk


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam