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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.

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:
  • "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)
  • "cashier's check" (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.
  
• 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.
  • mastercardnotifications1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Diamond well" <mastercardsnotifications@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:53:53 +0800
Subject: CONGRATULATION


Finally, this email address has brought you an unexpected luck You have
therefore been approved by MasterCard Int. /Microsoft UK to claim the sum of
£6,600,000.00 (SIX MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS). In cash, Credited
to a valid cashier's check, With winning Reg. No. MCIMJ: 5148/4178.

Be informed that your prize had been insured and ready for pay out. All the
08 winners were selected through the Microsoft computer ballot system (MCBS)
drawn from each continent and from each ISP, by the most powerful Microsoft
Software Incorporation, as part of our International "E-MAIL" Promotions
Program, to promote the use of MasterCard and the use of Microsoft Offices
all over the World. Further more, to promote the use of E-mails and cards
for online payments.

Send the claims requirements to your claims administrator. For further
instructions/information see the email address below.
Claims Requirements:
1. Full Name:......2. Address:...........3. Nationality:.............4.
Age:............5. Occupation:..............
6. Phone:................7. State of Origin:........Country:.........

MasterCardÂ(R) / MicrosoftÂ(R) Claims Administrator
Name: Mr. Diamond Wells
E-mail: mastercardnotifications1@gmail.com
You are to choose from these two(2) options below, the mode which you want
your funds to be transferred to you:
(1) Bank To Bank Wire Transfer..................
(2) Courier Mode Of Dispatch........................


Mr. Macwell Hunt @
MasterCardÂ(R) / MicrosoftÂ(R) Mega Jackpot.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam