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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge amount 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)
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2348074783755 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • drwilliam_jombo_1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Jombo William" <wjombo002@student.com>
Reply-To: drwilliam_jombo_1@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:30:16 -0700
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL (STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL


BARRISTER WILLIAM JOMBO
Call + 234-8074783755.
drwilliam_jombo_1@hotmail.com
Dear Sir/Madam,

Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am BARRISTER WILLIAM JOMBO, a
Solicitor at law and the personal attorney to late Mr Ali a National of
France who used to be a private contractor with the Shell Petroleum
Development Company in Nigeria, herein after shall be referred to as my
client. On the 21st of April 2002, he and his wife with their three children
were involved in an auto crash, all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately
lost their lives.
Since then, I have made several enquiries with his country embassies to
locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
contact you with this business partnership proposal. I am contacting you to
assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind by my client
before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Union Bank, Plc
where this huge deposit is lodged.The deceased had a deposit valued
presently at US$15 Million US Dollars and the bank has issued me a notice to
provide his Next of Kin or beneficiary otherwise they will have the account
frozen within the
next thirty official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years
now, I seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin and the
beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at
US$15 Million US dollars can be paid to you. This will be
disbursed or shared in theis ratio of, 60% to me and 40% to you.I shall
process all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up all
claims. All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust
to enable us see this transaction through.
I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law.
1. Your full name and address
2. Your complete Bank Account information(into which you wish the US$15
Million to be remitted).
3.Your telephone number and fax numbers
Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.
Best regards,
BARRISTER WILLIAM JOMBO
Call + 234-8074783755.
drwilliam_jombo_1@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam