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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "former president of liberia" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: JOHN MORGAN <zm902nejjc@testzimbra.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:55:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: 2ND NOTIFICATION,PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP.


Greetings,

My name is Mr. John Morgan,a personal assistant and adviser to former President of Liberia (Dr.Charles Taylor). I live and work in London.My client is currently facing charges of war crimes he did not commit because of the just concluded civil war in Liberia caused by conflict.I found your informations on the internet search,and i decided to contact you for assistance,please if you are interested do get back to me and go through my message below.

During his time of leadership as president of Liberia he deposited the sum of (US$28.5m) fund made from (Diamond) into a security company in Spain and he trusted all the documents in my care but right now he has instructed that i should look for a trustworthy business man or woman who can receive the funds in a secured bank account overseas and invest this money in a very good business venture like real estate, without being careless or reckless, because he did not know his faith yet, until the end of the trial.


I will procure all necessary legal documentation in your name for the release of fund, deposited in a security company in spain,to enable us proceed on the transfer of this fund into your country.Please for more information go through this website:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6717485.stm

To indicate your interest,kindly provide me your full contact information.All the legal document/information concerning this Money will be sent to you as soon as i hear from you.Meanwhile,once you have receive the fund,You will be expected to start the investment plan in your country immediately.If you find it in your heart to assist,please get back to me immediately.Thanks for your cooperation.

Best Regards,
John Morgan.
Attorney at law (Esq.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam