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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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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:
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • gabuaalex@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: =?big5?q?Abua=20Alex?= <abuaalex@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: seader_abu@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 01:44:40 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Ref..............Claim of und.........................


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Gabuaalex@yahoo.com.hk



- - From Debt management/Claims Department Central Bank of Nigeria Ref..............Claim of und..............................For your Urgent attention:You have received an irrevocable and unconditional approval for the immediate release of your fund currently located in the Central Bank of Nigeria.Due to administrative, beaureucratic bottlenecks associated with foreign payments and the negative attitude of certain unscrupulous officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Executive council had mandated this office to process and recommend the immediate release of funds due to bonafide foreign beneficiaries through our corresponding bank. The JP Morgan chase Bank of London.This office is also aware that you sent a lawyer and two representatives to claim funds on your behalf? Please confirm.Send your confirmation details to: Best regards,Mr.Seader Abu

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam