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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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)
  • "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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: Chris.Edem@live.fr
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:02:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: very urgent


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:edem_chris10@yahoo.com.pe



- Dear Friend, I anticipate that you read this mail quickly and let me know your opinion orwillingness on this classified information that I will release to you,and I am optimistic that It will open doors for unimaginable financial rewards for both of us.In a brief introduction,I am Mr Christ Edem, the head of auditing and accounting department with Banque Atlantique here in Lome,Togo West Africa. Website: ( www.banqueatlantique.net )In my department we discovered an abandoned sum of $15,500,000.00 (Fifteenmillion five hundred thousand United States Dollars) In an account that belongs to a foreign national,an oil consultant with Shell Petroleum company, who died in a car accident with his wife and only daughter on 27th DECEMBER 1998. Since we got the information about his death,we have been expecting his next of kin or relatives to come over and claim his money because the bank cannot release it unless somebody officially applies for it as indicated in our banking guidelines,but unfortunately we learned tha all his supposed next of kin died alongside with him in the event of the crash leaving nobody behind for the claim of his estate (Fund) with our bank.Upon Maturity of the deposit, the fund was confined to a dormant status where upon we made this discovery,and It is a standard practice that after the expiration of Ten years the funds will be declared as an "Unclaimed Asset Resource" and the account is closed. My major reason for contacting you is because I wish to use your information to transfer this fund to a foreign bank account in your country. All arrangement for the transfer of this fund has been legitimately made under a smooth arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I Hope you will understand and assist effectively for the success of this transaction.Though this approach appears desperate but I assure you that everything will workout successfully.Needless to say that the trust reposed on you at this juncture is enormous. In return I demand your complete honesty and trust. Therefoethis transaction will be based on the following terms and condition as stated below:1. My conviction of your transparent honesty and diligence.2. That you will treat this transaction with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.3. That you will not ask for more share than what is negotiated or try to sit on the funds or indulge in any form of blackmail once the funds is under your custody.As soon as you accept this condition and finally indicate your interest in this deal,I will need the following information below to commence the process.YOUR FULL NAME//........NATIONALITY//...............TELEPHONE/FAX//.......... I advise that you get back to me as soon as possible for more explanations and possible means of transferring this fund. Please be rest assured that as far as I'm concerned this transaction is 100% risk free because I have already covered every loop holes and also set my machinery at work to avoid traces,and I will destroy every paperwork/documents related to this transaction as soon asthe deal is concled.NOTE: Keep this very confidential and top secret,I hope to retire peacefully and leave a Honorable business life with my family afterwards.As soon as the above mentioned information is received from you,we will start processing for the transfer of the fund.Trusting to hear from you shortly. Best regards Mr Christ Edem

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam