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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "trunk boxes" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: rkosongo@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:56:01 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Please reply.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: rosekosongo@yahoo.in



- Mrs. Rose Kosongo/Alex Kosongo Burma Camp Accra-Ghana Tel: +233246141879 Dear Partner, It's my pleasure to acquaint you with this proposal for investment purpose in your country/company.I am the wife of late chief Dr Shani Kosongo who was a personal confidant to the president of Liberia. Before the war started, my late husband left Sierra-Leone with two IRON TRUNK boxes, which contained the total sum of US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million United States Dollars), to Ghana and deposited this consignment here in Ghana, in a security company as family treasures (AFRICAN ART WORKS) so the security company does not know the real content of the deposited trunk boxes, this was done by my late husband to avoid raising any eyebrows, for security purpose.Unfortunately he died in the heat of the crisis when the rebels tried to capture the capital Monrovia.I am presently in Ghana with my son seeking for a reliable and trustworthy individual to assist me move in my inherited total funds for onward investment. While I and my son process our traveling documents to enable us meet with you in your country.Based on our ignorance in the business world, we actually need your assistance hoping that you are honest and trustworthy to render your kind assistance.Your efforts in assisting us would not be underestimated; we would offer you 20% of the total sum of US$20,000,000.00 millions for your kind assistance.Please as soon as you receive this message, you should endeavor to reach me or my son with number: +233246141879 and my son will furnish you with more details and clarification, because as it is, everything is in my position, such as the certificate of deposit and the receipt issued to us on the day of deposit.Thanks and God bless Best regards.MRS Rose Kosongo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam