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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
  (+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:

• 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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million 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)
• 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.
  • wilfredford51@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Wilfred Ford" <wilfredford1964@googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:49:26 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME


Compliment of the day,

I am Wilfred Ford, a legal practitioner, On the 21st of April 2005, my
client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident.
All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

My Late client deposited the sum of 10.5million dollars in a Bank for
himself, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on
leave. Since his death I have made several inquiries to locate his extended
relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempt, I decided to trace his last name
to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted
you to assist in repatriating the money before they get confiscated by the
bank where huge deposits were lodged. Particularly the bank has issued me a
notice to provide the next of kin or have the fund confiscated.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since
you have the same last names so that the proceeds of this fund valued at
10.5 million dollars will be claimed by you and then you and I can share the
money. 60% comes to me and 40% goes to you. I have all necessary legal
documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require
is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. Please send your private
telephone number for further detail. You should please reply me through my
private email: *wilfredford51@yahoo.com*<http://us.mc449.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=wilfredford51@yahoo.com>


Thank you very much for your co-operation.

Best regards,
Wilfred Ford

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam