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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• 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:

• 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • overseacreditpayment@jmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: DEBT RECONCILIATION COMITTEE <smithgloor@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: overseacreditpayment@jmail.co.za
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:29:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: New Massage !


Sir,

We apologize for the delay of your payment and all the Inconveniences and
hiccups that we might have caused you. However, we were having some minor
problems with our payment system, which is Inexplicable, and have held us
stranded and Indolent, not having the Prerequisite to devote our 100% endowment
in accrediting foreign payments.

We apologized once again, from the Records of outstanding debt's due for
payment to:{ AWARD LOTTERY WINNER'S AND INHERITANCE FUND CLAIMS} THIS
OFFICE: DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE INCONJUNCTION WITH OVERSEA
CREDITCOMMISSION has been Mandated to Liquidate all outstanding debt; your name
and Particulars were discovered as next on the list due for outstanding payment.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and can be
accelerated so that your payment can be processed and will be released to you as
soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in our file.
YOUR APPROVED PAYMENT IS US$817,616.00Usd (EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN THOUSAND,
SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN DOLLARS). You are advised to choose any preferred method
of payment and also indicate your area of concern for your payment: {1}
Inheritance fund claims or {2} Lottery award winners:

{1} Certified Bank Draft Mail to your home address.
{2} Wire Transfer to your nominated bank account, as soon as you get in touched
with.

Mr. Jeff Albert.
Oversea Credit Commission.
E-mail: overseacreditpayment@jmail.co.za

In the light of this aforementioned, you are required to furnish this office
with the following information, as this will enable us to process and
release your cash prize without any further delay.

Your Full Name:
Telephone and fax Numbers:
Residential Address:

Forward your urgent reply/payment information to Jeff Albert via e-mail:
overseacreditpayment@jmail.co.za for speedy release of your long over-due
payment within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Anna Gomez.
Vice President
Sebastian Schaefer
For: Debt Reconciliation Commitee

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam