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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • westernunion743@freeukisp.co.uk
  • westernunion743@yahoo.dk

Fraud email example:

From: Chris Leach <chris_leach@live.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:19:00 -0400
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Western_Union=AE_?=

Western Union® Western Union® Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide ADDRESS: PLOT 1, SOUTHWARK BRIDGE,SE 19 HL UNITED KINGDOM PHONE NUMBER: +44-7024023893 REF NO: 250-153 Dear Sir/Madam   There is an issue with the Western Union Money Transfer in the amount of 1,000,000.00 POUNDS STERLING directed in cash credited to file KTU/ 9023118308/03, at the owner of this email address. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address, so we require some more information in order to complete this transfer. In order to effect this payment, please call our offices at: Chris leach.+44 702-4016-606 OR +44-7024023893 Email: (westernunion743@freeukisp.co.uk ) OR westernunion743@yahoo.dk As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you over the counter or wired to your nominated bank account directly from The Western Union Transferring Bank as soon as you comply with the requirements of western union charges. When calling or emailing, please use reference number 250-153 for our mutual convenience. Sincerely, Chris leach. . Western Union® Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide +44 702-4016-606

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam