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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:
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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:
  • "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)
  • "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • +27733174943 (South Africa, 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.
  • milvats04@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: milvats smith <milvats04@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:51:05 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: INVESTMENT


DURBAN SOUTH-AFRICA
Tel: +27-73-317-4943
FAX: +27-71-212-6515
E-mail:milvats04@yahoo.co.uk

   DEAR SIR,

   BUYING OF SHARES/ INVESTING IN YOUR COUNTRY.
I am the Chairman attached to the ministry of
transport in South Africa; I have decided to send forth this proposal to you after some due deliberation. I have in my possession the sum of (u$ 22 MILL) TWENTY TWO MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS. The above fund
which is now in government suspense’s account of recent contract awarded to a foreign firm for supplies of raw materials to my department. This is in pursuant to the terms of our agreement under the international monetary fund (I.M.F) and PARIS CLUB DEPT SERVICING
PROGRAMME to pay out all outstanding dept owed to foreign firm now seek your assistance for the easy transfer of the over invoiced (SURPLUS) amount as the beneficiary. And also in recognition of our personal executive profile and investment, opportunities available in your firm
.At this juncture, I want you to present your company as the original beneficiary of the above fund to enable me put the claim on the above money am assuring you that this is 100% risk free transaction because all the necessary arrangements have been made.
    Finally, I shall offer 30% for your assistance,
10% have been map out to cover all the expenses made by both side. While the remaining will be for my investment in your country. If satisfied with this proposal, kindly notify me by telephone the above number; or email. I can furnish you with more details on how the transaction will be done.
    Please note that it is highly confidential and should be treated as such.

Best regard
Dr Milvat smith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam