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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million british pounds" (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)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: brian herbert <herbert866@msn.com>
Reply-To: <brian.herb@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:02:57 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION!!!



Good DayNaturally, this letter will come to you as a surprise since we have not meet. Permit me however, I Mr.Brian Herbert from[UK],I am the personal account officer to Late Dr Surge S. Clansman,here in the United kingdom,I contacted you to kindly assist me in the proposition below, which will be of mutual benefit to both of us.Dr Surge S. Clansman died in July 19, 2003 on auto crash with his family.He has a fixed deposited with a well known financial institution here in UK and since his death,nobody has come for to claim this money.He has no any family members who are aware of the existing funds apart from me as his personal account officer.The fund was deposited in the financial institution vault because it was meant for reinvestment into his business here in UK before his untimely death.The total amount he deposited in the vault is £22,000,000.00 (Twenty Two Million British Pounds).Being the account officer,the company have ask me to trace the family relatives of the deceased so that the funds will be released to them. I made several efforts through the US High Commission to contact any of the deceased family or relatives, but all my efforts,proved abortive.This is why I have decided to contact you as a Foreigner to front you as the next of kin by assisting in repatriating this money so that it will not be confiscated and fortified for nothing by the government rather we can use it to assist the less privileges in our society .The company has issued me a notice to provide the Next of Kin within the next 21 official working days or the fund will be confiscated.I cannot claim this Money due to the transparent nature of my job and I need a foreigner since the deceased is a foreigner too who will keep the deal confidential.This business is simple and 100% risk-free because am going to prov id any legal documents or evident that will enhance smooth and success full transfer of the fund to any of your designated account.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangements.Thanks and remain blessed,while I wait for your urgent response for us to move forward and finalize this God Sent opportunity in a timely manner. Best regards,Mr.Brian Herbert .

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam