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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
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• 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:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: rev.chrisadam008@live.co.uk
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:48:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED FROM ..


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:rev.chrisadam@yahoo.com.co



- This is to notify the numerous foreign contractors/inheritance owed by the European Government from various parastatals that going by the Geneva Pact signed by the European government, and the World Bank as it relates to long overdue payment of foreign contractors on behalf of the European Government. Also note that from my record in my file your are been instructed to pay you $10.5 Million Dollars (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) since we are last quarter payment of the year. From the records of outstanding inheritance claim due for payment submitted by the WORLD BANK to Barclays Bank Of England, your name is next on the list of the outstanding inheritance to be settled. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Kindly re-confirm the following information to Rev. Chris Adam, the General Auditor. Who is in-charge of the release of your funds since the mandate of making this payment in your favor started, Contact him immediately via e-mail for the proceedings of your immediate payment(rev.chrisadam008@live.co.uk). Any beneficiary certified will receive his / her fund within five (7) working days from the date of the final authentication of his / her contractual date. Re-confirm the followings:1) Your full name.....(2) Phone, fax and mobile #..3) Company’s name,...and address, .....Profession, ..Age ...and marital status.... 5) Copy of int'l passport or any scanned identity to prove yourself. As soon as he receives the information mentioned above, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your nominated bank account directly from the Barclays Bank of England. Note: that the WORLD BANK is authorized to handle this payment to keep a clean slate of inheritance debt settlement because some Government officials and individuals have tried to transfer this funds to you but failed. You are hereby advised to stop any further communication with any one else or any other financial institution and comply to this to avoid any further delay. Remember that the WORLD BANK and Government of the debtor country will not be interested in any complaint of not receiving your funds if you fail to adhere this instructions. Regards.Rev. Chris Adam General Auditor.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam