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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 united states 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)
  • ",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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "accredited attorney" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "kwameaddomg@live.com" <kwameaddomg5@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kwameaddomg@live.com
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 18:29:54 +0100
Subject: My Request


>From Kwame Addo,
44, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue,
POB 401
09-09-2008



I am Mr. Kwame Addo, I am working with the International Commercial Bank and
one of the Accounting Department Manager here in Ghana. I found your email
contact very interesting and decided to reach you directly to solicit your
assistance and Guidelines in making business investment with me.

I was called up to Board to head the Audit Committee. When I resumed duty, I
discovered an account with total sum of $27,000,000.00 million USD (Twenty
seven million United States dollars) and this account have not been operated
for the past years now.

>From the thorough investigation I made, I found out that this account
belongs to Late Mr. James Rowe, American citizen and subcontractors for J.E.
Merit Constructors Inc. at the BP Chemical Refining plant in Texas City,
Texas. Who unfortunately died on 23 March 2005, on a terrible and
preventable explosion.

Why I Contact you is to assist me in executing this Business Project from
Ghana to your country within the Next few days. What I want you to do is to
stand as the next of Kin to Mr. Rowe, so that we can move this money out of
our Bank on your name to your Country.

I will provide the entire necessary Document to back up the claim through
the accredited Attorney of our Bank as am helping you.

I need to know if you will be able to handle this with me so that we can
start making the arrangement immediately. If you are interested please send
me your full names, private telephone number through the above email address
for an initial confidential communication. I wish for utmost confidentiality
if you can be able to handle this transaction with me.

Sincerely,
Kwame Addo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam