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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
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Amos Zulu" <azulu01@googlemail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:54:04 -0700
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFITS


DR.LUYA ADAMS
THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR,
INTERNATIONAL OPERATION DEPT.
SOUTH AFRICA RESERVE BANK (SARB)

GOOD DAY,

VERIFICATION OF YOUR PAYMENT FILE.

FROM THE RECORDS OF OUTSTANDING CONTRACTORS,NEXT OF KIN FUND AND LOTTERY
FUNDS DUE FOR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT WITH THE SOUTH AFRICA GOVERNMENT , YOUR
NAME/PARTICULARS WAS DISCOVERED AS NEXT ON THE LIST OF THE OUTSTANDING
PAYMENTS WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THEIR PAYMENTS.

I WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR PAYMENT IS BEING PROCESSED AND WILL BE
RELEASED TO YOU AS SOON AS YOU RESPOND TO THIS LETTER.

ALSO NOTE THAT FROM THE RECORD IN OUR FILES YOUR OUTSTANDING PARTPAYMENT IS
US1,700,000.00 (ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS). KINDLY RE-CONFIRM TO ME THE FOLLOWINGS:

1) YOUR FULL NAME.
2) PHONE, FAX AND MOBILE #.
3) COMPANY NAME, POSITION AND ADDRESS.
4) PROFESSION, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS.
5) IDENTIFICATION

AS SOON AS THIS INFORMATION IS RECEIVED, YOUR PAYMENT WILL BE MADE TO YOU IN
A CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT OR WIRED TO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT
DIRECTLY FROM SOUTH AFRICA RESERVE BANK. YOU CAN MAIL ME ON MY DIRECT MAIL
ADDRESS AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS MEMO FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

REGARDS,

DR.LUYA ADAMS
DGSARB

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:

This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom
it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential
and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this
communication in error, please do not distribute and delete the original
message. Please notify the sender by E-Mail at the address shown.

Thank you for your compliance.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam