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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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 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)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: <collins.john@centrum.cz>
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:07:54 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir,Nice meeting you.


Dear Sir,Nice meeting you.

I am the Director Accounts Department in my Bank=C2=A0 here in Cotonou Be=
nin Republic.=C2=A0=20

Honestly, I need your urgent assistance in transfering the sum=20
of(7.846)million dollars immediately to your account.This funds was reali=
sed through the manipulations of facts and figures.

After reading your profiles in the internet I was convinced that you can =
handle this transaction,hence I contacted you. Since you bear the same la=
st name with his name on our file.

This amount has been secured in an escrow account since the year 2003 in =
my bank,after submitting the audit report of the same fiscal year,there w=
as no trace of this money by the bank and that enhanced my interest with =
joy that this transaction is 100% risk free.

Upon successful conclusion,all related documents for the execution will b=
e destroyed to avoid any trace.

I will send you details on how the business will executed, be aware that =
you will have 30% of the total sum if you agree to help actualise the pro=
ject.
If you are insterested,send in your response with your telephone number t=
o enable us open communication access and more details.

Best Regards,
John Collins
Dir.Accounts Dept

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam