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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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Hajia Mariam Eyadema <hajiamariam@sify.com>
Reply-To: hajiamariam@k.ro
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:58:19 +0400
Subject: Request for assistance



Dear Friend,

I am Hajia Mariam Gnassingbe Eyadema the third wife of the late Togolese president who was the president of Togo between 1967 and 2005(38 years) when he died.

After the death of my husband in 2005, his son Faure Eyadema who happens to be my stepson took over the leadership of the country though against the wishes of the populace so no one can predict the faith of the family members might the opposition which is growing stronger day by took over the governance of the country.

My communicating you this time is based on the uncertainty of our future hence I would want to seek your consent in receiving my inherited funds which is at the tone of us$19m (nineteen million United States dollars).

The funds in question was bequeathed to me by my late husband while he was alive and lucky enough I have succeeded in moving this funds out of the country and it is safely deposited with a private security company which is ready to release it to me or whosoever I will delegate for same.

Is rest assured that as long as you are ready to do this transaction with me and on my instructions/directives, there is nothing whatsoever to be afraid of as nobody is after the funds at least for the time been.

For the much anticipated assistance that I need from you, I am ready to compensate your efforts with 20% of the total sum while 5% will be to reimburse whatever expenses all the parties will incur in the process of the transaction.

Finally, I would want this transaction to remain between us while it lasts as I will be ready to furnish you with the full details of the transaction on getting your nod of acceptance of my proposal.

Regards,

Hajia mariam Eyadema

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam