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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barrkofiwilliams095@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: <drmartinskobello222@centrum.cz>
Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:59:21 +0100
Subject: Thanks and God bless you


Dear Friend,=C2=A0

I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferr=
ed=20
out of my country under the cooperation of a new partner from Venezuela .
Presently i'm in Venezuela for investment projects with my own share of t=
he=20
total sum.=C2=A0

meanwhile,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in=20
transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how. I have made=20
available 10% of my own share which is 1.8 M ( ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED=20
THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS ) to compensate you=C2=A0

Now contact my lawyer,His name is=C2=A0 Barrister Koffi Williams, His mai=
l;=20
(barrkofiwilliams095@gmail.com) He will make an arrangement with you to s=
end=20
you a cashier cheque or via bank to bank transfer the sum of 1.8M ( USA )=
which=20
i kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts you ma=
de=20
to assist me.=C2=A0

I appreciated your efforts at that time very much.finally, remember that =
I=20
had forwarded instruction to my lawyer on your behalf to receive that mon=
ey,=20
so feel free to contact my lawyer.=C2=A0

Regards

Dr Martins Kobello

=C2=A0

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam