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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Mary Cox" <office1@whocomefirst.net>
Reply-To: mrsmarycoxprivate@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:21:47 +0000
Subject: Attn:




Dear Partner,

My Name is Mrs Mary Cox, I am the Business Manager and Head of Computing Department of a bank here in London, United kingdom,(Lloyds Tsb Bank
London).

There is an account opened in this bank in 1997 and since my inception into my office in 2003,nobody has operated on this account.

I have the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable to handle this important transaction. In order to transfer out Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling(? 12,400,000.00 ) after going through
some old files, I discovered that if I do not remit this money out urgently,it will be forfeited,However,this is why i want to use my position as the head of the computer department/business manager move out this funds to a
trusted person who can take care of the funds until I am ready to meet with you.

Though this transaction will cost us some money to finalize,but my attorney was able to contact a very capable and reliable investor who has promised to render financial assistance to us through you, if you have a HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT ACCOUNT, where they will credit all the money we may need to complete the transfer of this funds , If you do, you will be required to respond to this message urgently to enable us move ahead.

You will be entitled to 30% of the total sum while 65% will be for me and my attorney who will process all the legal documentations in your favoured name as the rightful beneficiary of the outstanding funds, I
will forward more information to you upon your urgent response, and please be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free, hence this attorney is
involved and he is to legalise all the proof of ownership papers in your name and 5% will be for the expenses that will be made by the both party.

I will forward more information to you upon your urgent response.

Also you are expected to forward to me your direct phone and fax numbers were you can be reached at all time and to enable us fax you all the approval documents for your own records.

Thanks Sincerely,
Mrs Mary Cox.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam