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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +2348060969649 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:41:02 +0100
Subject: Dear friend.........



Greetings To You My Dear Friend!!!

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am happy to inform you about my success in getting your winning funds under the co-operation of a new partner from ASIA . Presently I'm in ASIA CHINA for investment projects with my own share of the totalsum. Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to get your winnings despite that it failed somehow.

Now contact my secretary in ABUJA his name is mr.maxie.devine. Find
below his contact information.

COMPENSATION HEAD OFFICE
CONTACT SECRETARY:MR.CHRIS.MIKE
EMAIL:agentchrismike@compasationonline.de.tf
Tel: TEL: +234-80-6096-9649

Ask him to send you the total $500.000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) certified bank Cheque, which I raised in your favor for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempt in this matter.

I appreciated your efforts at that time very much.
So feel free and get in touch with my secretary and give him your address where to send the draft to you. Please do let me know immediately you receive the Cheque to enable us share the joy after all the sufferness at that time.

At the moment,I'm very busy here because of the investment projects,which the new partner and i are having at hand,finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to the secretary on your behalf to Receive that money. So feel free to get in touch with him (MR.CHRIS.MIKE)without any delay.

Thanks and God bless you and your family Greetings To You.

My Dear Friend!!!.
Best regards,

Yours faithfully,
MR MIKE DAN
ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN,
© 2008.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam