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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • koffi_william_002@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Koffi William <koffi_william_002@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: koffi_william_00@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:52:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Deraest Friend /// Urgent Reply.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: koffi_william_002@yahoo.com



- Dearest Friend,I am writing following the impressive information about your profile through the website your capability and reliability to champion this opportunity.Here in this bank existed a dormant account for the past 8 years which belong to an foreigner who is now late (Mrs.Gloria Dehaan) Who died on auto accident.This is the story in a nutshell.I seek your consent to present you to the bank as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last name and the proceeds of this account can be paid to you before it gets confisicated or declared unserviceable by the bank.It is a careful Deal and for the past eleven months I have worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation. The amount is not so much at the time of deposit but with all the accumulated interest the balance in this account stands at-(US$ 5.5 million ).I will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward transfer of this money to your account.Therefore, on receipt of your positive response,we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer which will be executed under legitimate arrangement.Finally,It is my humble prayer that the information as contained herein be accorded the necessary attention,Urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves.I expect your urgent response if you can handle this project.Respectfully Yours,Mr Koffi William

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam