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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.

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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "FROM ABU IDRIS" <abuidris@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: abuidris1@myway.com
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 18:30:45 +0000
Subject: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION


Hello Dear,
With warm heart I offer my friendship, and greetings, and I hope this
mail meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this
contact might seem to you, as we have not meet personally or had any
dealings in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of
its importance and immense benefit.
I got your contact through internet a few days ago and decided to
contact you after a due search, for a reliable and capable
foreigner that will handle confidentially a transfer of huge sum of
money ..You must have gotten mails like this on your mail box but
consider this and see for your self.
I am Mr. Mr. ABU IDRIS the personal assistant (Finance) to the late
President Gnassingbe Eyadama of Lome,Togo. In order to avoid any long
meaningless talk, I am looking for a person who can be TRUSTED to
handle part of the money the late President wanted to go and deposit
in Switzerland
three weeks before he died. The money was kept in a Security Company
for safe keeping in Ghana.
As soon as you indicate interest to assist, i arrange for it's
delivery to you at your door .
You can reach me back by email .. Please email me back as soon as
you receive this letter to enable me give you further details. Will
send you my copy passport soon you reply.
I wait for your quick response to my proposal. I will explain in
details after your response to this mail.
See sites bellow for more details.news.bbc.co.uk/
/hi/world/africa/830774.stm
.www.rcnetwork.net
.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4239983.stm
.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/41860.htm
.www.rcnetwork.net/Article1075_850.html
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4239983.stm>
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4281559.stm>
NB: we can conclude this deal within one week and the money
will be transfered to you.
Thank you,
Mr. ABU IDRIS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam