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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
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "necessary legal documents" (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. )
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mary Young <mary.young.uk2@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mary.young1@live.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:06:42 +0000
Subject: Mrs.Mary Young



Hello,

I am Mrs.Mary Young an external auditor here in England. In the course of our yearly routine audit of investment Portfolio, I discovered that a personal account has been dormant for over seven years with a huge balance. The account belongs to a single beneficiary (name witheld for securiry reasons).Further investigations of the said account reveal that the late investor last operated the account in 2000, about the time of his death. He died without a will and also with no next of kin, so there was no beneficiary/nobody coming forward all these years to lay claim to the investment account.

The personal investment account in this instance has been dormant for about 7 Years, thus making it a dormant account. I wish to inform you that using our Inside leverage, we (I am working on this with an attorney at this time), Together with yourself can secure the funds in this account for us instead of allowing it sent to the Treasury of the Government of the United Kingdom. All we need is your approval and the lawyer will file for an application for proceeds on your behalf. All necessary legal documents required will be provided.

You shall be adequately compensated for your part in this transaction. I shall however leave out the other details of this transaction till i receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. I can assure you that we are completely in charge of the transaction and as such there is no risk whatsoever if you decide to work with us.
It is however important to say that secrecy is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.

If you wish to proceed with me you must send me the following:

Your full name................
Contact number ...............
Mailing address...............
Present Occupation and Age.....

I look forward to hearing from you.

With warmest personal regards and best wishes,

Mrs.Mary Young

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam