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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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: williamgoro@live.fr
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:36:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Barrister William Goro


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



- From Barrister William Goro. Cotonou Benin Republic West Africa.Tele;+22998410777.E-mail:williamgoro@live.fr Greeting To You Dear Friend,I am personal attorney to the Late Mr. Morris Thompson a prominent Native , business leaders and philitropist . I am writing following an opportunity in my office that will be of imense benefit to both of us. Late Mr. Morris Thompson has deposited the sum of 27.5 million dollars (Twenty seven million five hundred thousand dollars) in an account with Diamond Bank of African in cotonou, Republic of benin, unfortunately he lost his life in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31 2000, including his wife and only daughter.You shall read more about the crash on visiting this site.http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/Now the bank has been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for the claim but nobody has done that. I personally has been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for 4 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at 27.5 Million dollars can be paid to you. This will be disbursed or shared as we may agree after your acceptance. I will secure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this transaction through.I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please, provide me the following:1. Full Name2. Your Telephone Number 3. Your Contact Address.4.Your international passport/Drivers licensce .Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated through my private email REPLY TOEMALLaddress:[williamgoro@live.fr].Best regards,Barrister William Goro. Tele;+22998410777

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam