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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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• 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.

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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)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • li_2001patrickchan@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Gareth Longstaff" <Gareth.Longstaff@newcastle.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:46:24 +0100
Subject: Business Proposal From Patrick Chan

Dear Friend,
Let me start by introducing myself.I am Mr.Patrick Chan Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd.I have a secured business suggestion for you.Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Col. Hosam Hassan who was with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months in my bank.Upon maturity several notice was sent to him, even during the late last year,no response came from him. After further investigation it was also discovered that Col. Hosam Hassan was killed in the war and declare no next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. So,Thirty Million United State Dollars is still lying in my bank and noone had never showed up to claim it. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Col. Hosam Hassan.I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin.If interested do send your email to li_2001patrickchan@yahoo.com.hk
for more details. Kind Regards, Mr.Patrick Chan

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam