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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
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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:
  • "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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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: johnsonsmith01@sify.com
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:12:50 +0530 (IST)
Subject: PRIVATE


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: johnson.s2349@yahoo.in



- BAKER & McKENZIE SOLICITORS 100 NEW BRIDGE STREET LONDON EC4V 6JA, England Dear Friend, I am Barrister Johnson Smith , a member of Baker & McKenzie Solicitors.The attorney at law to Late Engr Khan,a national of your country, who used to work with an oil servicing company as an oil expertraite.Hereinafter referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2006, my client, his wife and their three Children were involved in a car accident along University Road Liecester. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives inculding my client.Since thence I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family,hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unservice!
able by the Finance Company here. These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the "AQUATIC TRUST&FINANCE" where the deceased had an account valued at about $11 million dollars. The Finance Company has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $11 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and i can share the money,50% to me and 50% to you.I will procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam