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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
• 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.
  • +22997043807 (Benin, probably a 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.
  • westernunionbj@mixmail.com
  • contactus30@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: edw_harris@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 07:25:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT


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



- Attn Dear Winner: Your winning Price of Eight hundred and fifty thuosand usd.($850,000USD) has been forwarded to Western Union for immediate transfer to you, Your payment will be sent to you by western Union, the amount you will receive per day is $5,000.00 (Five thousand Dollars)The Minister Trust Funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently standards tracking details you need to pick up your ($5,000) payment by western union, you will receive every day till you receive the $850,000 United State Dollars, now no need to send you this atm card because you can not be able to withdraw with the atm card due to the atm master card contain large money on it and is not activated too and many people have received their fund through this western union which is safer and reliable with less cost. The Director administrator trust funds have already signed your payment, now you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this email:(westernunionbj@mixmail.com) however, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your payment by Western Union per $5,000 a day. Mr.James Johnson, Western Union Department Benin, Mobile:+229 97043807 E-mail: (contactus30@yahoo.co.uk) The Western Union Payment Center has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment. Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your payment: Receiver name------------- Country-------------- City---------------- Tel---------------- Test question------------- Answer---------------- Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr.James Johnson, he will start sending your payment by Western Union.And do let me know immediately you get your money for us to share the joy together. Best regards,Edward Harris.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam