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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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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)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "maryam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Bassy Warren" <bassy4002@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:25:16 -0400
Subject: Urgent Investment.

My Dear Friend,

Greeting in the name of the most HIGH. I am delighted to write this
letter to you hoping that you will understand my predicament and respond
to it. I am Barrister Bassy Warren an Attorney to (Mrs.) Maryam
Abacha, wife of the late Nigerian head of state, General Sani Abacha. I
am in possession of US $25.5 Million, which I want to invest in your
country. For clarification purpose, this money enclosed in boxes is
deposited with a security company to be used for the family support
program (F.S.P.) as a guise. This money ($25.5M) was deposited in a private
Security Company in the Western Part of Africa through the Central bank of
Nigeria arrangement. I will disclose the exact location and country in
due course of this transaction. This transaction is 100% risk free so
long as I am involved with you.

Please, this transaction demands absolute confidentiality for the
security of the families involved. For your acceptance of this offer to help
I will give you 40% of the total money, another 10% will be used to
offset any expenses incurred by both parties in the course of the
transaction. I wish to use my part of the money for investment and buy a
living
house for me and my family in your country, and the balance will be
kept for more investment package also in your country, which will be under
your supervision. You are free to go ahead in this transaction with me.
If we must do this business successfully, we must keep it away from the
public please.

Looking forward to your quick response.

Yours sincerely.

Bassy Warren

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam