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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "money orders " (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. )
  • "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. )
  • "cheques " (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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: fabricmitco@yahoo.com.au
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:12:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: JOB OFFER.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mitcocompany@ymail.com

ATTN:

- Dear Sir/Madam,Mitco Fabrics & textiles Limited is a small scale UK company. We supply Fabrics & textiles to clients in some countries. We have reached big sales volume in the Europe as a starter, and now we are trying to penetrate the US/Canada market. Quite soon we will open representative offices or authorized sales centers in the US and therefore we are currently looking for people who will assist us in establishing a new distribution network there.The fact is that despite the US market is new for us we already have regular clients also speaks for itself.WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR US?The international money transfer tax for legal entities(companies) in UK is 25%, whereas for the individual it is only 7%. There is no sense for us to work this way, while tax for international money transfer made by a private individual is 7%. That is why we need you! We need agents to receive payment for products in money orders, cheque or bank wire transfers) and to resend the money to us !
via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer. This way we will save money because of tax decreasing.JOB DESCRIPTION? 1. Receive payment from Clients 2. Cash Payments at your Bank 3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed. 4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to (Payments are to be forwarded either by Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer).HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?10% from each operation! For instance: If you receive 7000 USD via cheques or money orders on our behalf. You will cash the payment and keep $700 (10% from $7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 15%!ADVANTAGES You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home office. Your job is absolutely legal. You can earn up to $3000-4000 monthly depending on time you will spend for this job. You do not need any !
capital to start. You can do the Work easily without leaving or affect
ing your present Job. The employees who make efforts and work hard have a strong possibility to become managers. Anyway our employee never leaves us.MAIN REQUIREMENTS 18 years or older legally capable responsible ready to work 2-4 hours per week. with PC knowledge e-mail and internet experience (minimal) And please be informed that Everything is absolutely legal. If you are interested in our offer, please Provide us with the following information to: mitcocompany@ymail.com (1)Your full names:(2) Contact address:(NOT P.O.BOX)city, state, zip code(3) Country:(4) Tele/cell numbers:(5)Occupation:(6) Age:(7) Sex:(8) Email: Thanks for your anticipated action. And we hope to hear back from you soon.Regards,Anderson Marlindi. CEO www.mitco.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam