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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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
• 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 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.
  • mrsevenjane@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mrsevenjane@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:13:01 GMT
Subject: REALISE OF YOUR FUND



Western Union╝
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide


Available at Brookshire's locations, Western Union is a convenient way to
send money fast. It's easy, reliable and you have a choice of great
options.

Use the right money transfer service for you to get money there fast,
nationwide and worldwide.




Attn: Sir/Madam,


There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount of
$750,000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03, at
the
owner of this email address.

The International Monetary Fund contacted us for your compensation a couple
of
hours ago due to your allocated security code.
They said that they choose to send it to an email address instead of a
name. We
are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address,so we
require
some more information in order to verify it with what we have on file from
the IMF.

FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
AGE:


In order to resolve this problem,get back to us immediately.

As soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the
requirements of payment of the western union charges, payment will be made
to
your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from The Western
Union
Transfering Bank.EMAIL[mrsevenjane@yahoo.com ]

When emailing,please use reference number 250-147 for our mutual
convenience.
THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER,OFFICE NIGERIA BRANCH.

Sincerely,
mr seven jones
western union payment

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam