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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)
• 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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "are expected to pay " (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. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • info_ameriembassygha@mail2american.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: AMERICAN EMBASSY ACCRA GHANA <usa_embassygh2@msn.com>
Reply-To: <info_ameriembassygha@mail2american.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 19:54:38 +0000
Subject: BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS AMERICA EMBASSY GHANA.















U.S. Department of State


Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 20520
Greeting from USA Embassy,




THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR
THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS


ATTENTION: Beneficiary



This is to notify you that your consignment has been in our custody
waiting for your comply before the delivery will be effected to your delivery
address.



We have been waiting for
you to contact us regarding your consignment box which Courier Company
suppose to deliver to you which was on hold by US Department of State Bureau and requesting for clearance certificate which
will be obtain from the origination of the consignment box before it will be
released.



As a result of you not
comply within duration given by Ghana Government that is the reason the consignment box was
diverted to treasury.



All the welfare of United
States Citizen is my concern, am here to take the protocol of all our citizens
to not be cheated by Africans.



After the meeting held by our board of director which was concluded
that the delivery of your consignment to your address must be complete within
three working days upon your comply to our requirement which is by sending the
sum of $485.00 to enable us obtain the needed certificate and effect with the
delivery of your consignment immediately.

Note that your consignment box has been arrived in US embassy and
waiting to receive clearance certificate before the gate pass is given.



Mean while you are
advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting us to avoid delivery
to wrong person.



1, Your full name

2, Your home address

3, Your occupation

4, Direct Telephone
Number



Once you notify us with the above
information we will release your consignment to you,



Contact the Embassy Office Direct with the following information
Below, Contact person,



Mr. Frank Miller

Phone +233 247 934 580

Email: info_ameriembassygha@mail2american.com



Note that you are expected to pay only
$485.00 for clearance certificate and you are to pay it to Ghana Republic as the origination of the consignment box in
favour of Mr. Chris Bala as our accountant officer in Ghana Republic Send the
$485.00 through western union or Money Gram once you receive this mail with the information below
for immediate release of your consignment box,



Receivers Name: Mrs. Gifty Afua.

Country: Accra Ghana

Code: +233

Test Question: Which Colour

Answer: Red

Amount: $485.00



Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick
up and for immediate action on the release of your consignment.



Please treat this as matter of
urgency.

Note that any unclaimed consignment will be return to the Courier

Company after 3 days for final diversion.



So you are urgently advice to comply with our demand so that we will
release your consignment.









Regard,



Dr. Moore Frazer,
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
FROM UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam