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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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.
  
• 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.
  • mr.azi_sher1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • azisher2008@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:56:30 -1200
Subject: I WAIT YOUR URGENT REPLY.

FROM: MR.AZIZAL SHERIFF
PRIVATE EMAIL:
(mr.azi_sher1@yahoo.com) Or
(azisher2008@gmail.com)

Attn: Sir/ Madam,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it
all just my urgent need for a foreign partner that made me
to contact you for this transaction. I got your contact from
yahoo tourist search while i was searching for a foreign
partner. I assured of your capability and reliability to
champion this business opportunity when i prayed to God or
Allah about you.

I am a banker by profession in BURKINA-FAST, WEST AFRICA and
currently holding the post of assistant foreign remittance
director in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring
the left over funds ($10, 183 Million Dollars) of one of my
bank clients who died along with his entire family on
Junuary 2005 in a plane crash.

Hence; i am inviting you for a business deal where this
money can be shared between us in the ratio of 60/40 if you
agree to my business proposal. Further details of the
transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your
return mail immediately you receive this letter.

Please indicate your willingness by sending the below
information for more clarification and easy communication.

(1) YOUR FULL NAME
(2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
(3) YOUR TEL AND FAX NUMBER

Trusting to hear from you immediately.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Mr.AZIZAL SHERIFF.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam