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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: bank moon <unitednation_001@msn.com>
Reply-To: <bankmoon2008@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:43:02 +0000
Subject: INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT)





INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT) UNITED NATION
(WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND TRANSFERS.
870 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA 20-ANEW YORK NY 10017


ATTN:
IRREVOCABLE RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT



We write to inform you that have been authorized by the international community in conjunction with the World bank to investigate the unnecessary delay of your Outstanding Contract Payment. We have also been empowered to recommend and approve your claims for payment if certified as genuine. During the course of our investigation, we discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily delayed by some corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert the beneficiaries' Fund into their private accounts.

To forestall this, security for your funds has been organized and for the safety of your funds we have been specifically advised to release this payment to you either by a Telegraphic Transfer into your Designated Account, by a Certified Bank Draft or through special Cash Delivery. We have also agreed with the Presidency that we will make this payment via the United Nations Accredited Bank to avoid the hopeless situation created by the Officials of the Previous Bank.

We are happy to inform you that based on our recommendation your outstanding Contract Fund of thirty - two Million, seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($US32.7M) has been Deposit in Sun Trust Bank in U.S.A.

You are advised to furnish me with this below information:so that i will give you the contact of the SUN TRUST BANK IN U.S A fore you to contact them for your
money.

1.Your Full Name
2.Shipping Address
3.Telephone Number (Cell Phone if any)
4.Age and Marital Status.Occupation





We expect your urgent response to this

CONGRATULATIONS!



MR. BAN KI-MOON,
SECRETARY.
UNITED NATIONS,
NEW YORK.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam