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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:

• 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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348077728353 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • fedexcustservice@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: servicefed@live.com
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:46:48 -0500
Subject: Contact FedEx

Greeting!

I am Mrs. Mariam Bamforth, suffering from cancer ailment. I was
married to Engineer Alex Bamforth an English man who is dead.
My husband was into private practice all his life before his
death.

Our life together as man and wife lasted for three decades
without a child.My husband died after a protracted illness. My
husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the
less-privileged as we have passion for people who can not help
themselves due to physical disability or financial
predicament.My husband died leaving the sum of 2.8 Million
United States Dollars which he derived from his vast estates
and investment in capital market. Presently, this money is with
FEDEX EXPRESS DELIVERY,WEST AFRICA.The Confirmable Bank Draft
was deposited with FEDEX EXPRESS DELIVERY WEST AFRICA.

I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use
this gift which comes from my husbands effort to fund the
upkeep of widows,orphans,destitute,physically challenged
children, barren women and people who are genuinely handicapped
financially.

I got your informations during a discreet search in the
internet for someone to help me.I took this decision because I
do not have any child that will inherit this money and i have
been told by doctors that i have less than two weeks to
live.Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated
herein.If you can give me this assistance,you can then contact
FEDEX EXPRESS DELIVERY, WEST AFRICA as soon as possible to know
when they will deliver the package to you because of the
expiring date.

For your information,I have paid the delivery Charges,
Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque
showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor
Terrorist attack in your Country.The only money you will send
to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft direct to
your postal Address in your country is ($275.00 US) Dollars
only being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far.
Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money
except $275.00 US Dollars. I would have paid for the security
keeping fee but they said no because they don't know when you
will contact them and in case of demurrage.You have to contact
FEDEX EXPRESS DELIVERY, WEST AFRICA immediately with the
following
informations:

Full Names:
Telephone:
Country:
Age:
Sex:
Occupation:
Delivery Address:

DISPATCH OFFICER: Mr. David Oneal
Email Address: fedexcustservice@hotmail.com
Telephone: +234-807-7728-353

You are adviced to contact them as soon as you receive this
mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their
Security Keeping fee of $275.00 US Dollars for their immediate
action.

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Mariam Bamforth.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam