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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:
  • "million british pounds" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Anna Williams <anna_williams566@msn.com>
Reply-To: <office.awilliams@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 09:25:22 +0000
Subject: Confidential Request



Hello,
My name is Mrs A.Williams.I am the auditor general and computer manager here in our bank in UK.I have only written to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish to make a transfer involving a sum amount of base 9,000,000.00 {Nine Million British Pounds Sterlings} of Late Ms. Carol White out of the bank,she died since 1999, till now the account remain dormant/unclaimed.I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice. Thus, for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 25% of the total amount to be yours after the transfer has been successfully concluded. Kindly reply me stating your interest,and I shall furnish you with the details and necessary procedure with which to make the transfer progress.Please respond to me as soon as possible so we can proceed with the transaction.Also understand that this transaction should remain confidential.I will await for your urgent response.Thanks for your understanding and have a nice day.
Regards, Anna Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam