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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "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.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348023470256 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ofile james <jamesuofile54@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <jamesofile@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 14:07:10 +0000
Subject: ASSISTANCE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL



ASSISTANCE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIALEngr James Ofile,National Electric Power AuthorityCentral Business District,Ijora Causewayjamesofile@yahoo.co.ukDirect Phone: 234 80 23470256Lagos Nigeria. ASSISTANCE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIALDear Sir, I am Engr. James Ofile, a top management staff in the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and I head seven-man tenders aboard in charge of Contract Awards and Payments Approvals. I came to know of you in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential transaction that involves the transfer of a huge sum of money to a foreign account.

There were series of contracts executed by a consortium Multinationals in the energy sector in favour of NEPA among which were: 1. The supply of Y2K compliant personal computers and accessories to the Ajaokwuta, Kanji and Shiroro.
2. Supply of drugs and relief materials to the victims of the Niger/Delta crises.

3. The construction of schools, hospitals and housing units in the Niger/Delta region.

The original value of these contracts were deliberately over- invoiced to the sum of US$ FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS (US$5.5M) which has been approved and is now ready to be transferred.

Unfortunately, my colleague and I cannot handle the transfer of this US$5.5M without the assistance of a foreign partner who we shall present to NEPA as the sub-contractor for the claim of this US$5.5M.

Our assurance is that your role is risk free, as we will accord the transaction the legality it deserves and for mutual security of the fund, the whole procedures will be officially and legally processed with your name, and of any Company you may nominate as the beneficiary to the fund. On the successful transfer of this fund within the stipulated period of 7 working days, we will meet you for our share of the fund. On this note, it is clear to you that this very mutual golden opportunity will be base on our conviction of your transparent honesty and diligence. You will know further details on you acceptance of this offer. Yours truly,Engr.James Ofile
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam