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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22993576411 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • good_omemma@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Tonny David" <tonnydavid1@xakep.ru>
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:54:16 +0200
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY NOW


My Dear Friend,

How are you today? It's been long I heard from you. Well, I just want to use
this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in
receiving the funds, without any positive outcome. I am obliged to inform
you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new
partner from Poland.

Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady
accountant who works with the Remittance Department of the Federal Ministry
of Finance (FMF) and she rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner
initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully. In appreciation
of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the Funds,
I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $800.000 in a Cashier's
cheque (EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS

This is from my own share. I did this simply to show you that it is good to
do good things to the right people always. Presently, I am in Poland for
investment project with my own share under the advice of my partner.
Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring those funds despite that it failed us somehow. I will be
sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received your share
or not.

Now contact my secrtary MR OMEMMA on my former telephone line and do send
him your contact address where you want the cheque to be sent to you. The
phone numbers, which you will reach my secretary MR OMEMMA once again, is
His e-mail address:( (good_omemma@yahoo.com)

CONTACT NUMBER IS THIS.+229 93 576411 , Please do let me know immediately
you receive it so that we can share the joy together after all the suffering
at that time. In the moment, I'm very busy here in Poland because of the
investment projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel
free to get in touch with MR OMEMMA to send the cheque to you without any
delay. FILL IT PROPERLY:

1. FULL NAMES: __________________________________
2. ADDRESS: _________________________
3.SEX: _____________
4. AGE:_______
5. MARITAL STATUS:_______________
6. OCCUPATION: _______________________________
7. E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________
8. TELEPHONE NUMBER: ________________________
9. FAX: NUMBER_______________________________
10.BREIF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY / INDIVIDUAL:
11.CITY: _____________________
12.STATE:_____________________
13.COUNTRY: _________________

with best regards,
Mr.Tonny David

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam