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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very 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)
  • "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +27724474166 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +27866159896 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:15:06 +0200
Subject: Bank Info / Very Urgent.!!


*Mr. Edward Mendu*

*Johannesburg, South Africa. *

*Direct Mobile: + + 27 724 474 166
*

*Fax Line : + + 27 866 159 896 *

*Email : men@mail2.eddie.com*



*Strictly Confidential!!*

Attn :Sir/Madam



I am sending this letter to you based on the information gathered from the
foreign trade office of the South African chamber of commerce and industry
on your company. I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important
business. Though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused; I choose
to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest medium of
communication. However, this correspondence is unofficial and private, and
it should be treated as such I believe that you would be in a position to
help in my bid to transfer the sum of Seventeen Million United States
Dollars (USD$17,000,000) into a foreign account.



I am a member of special committee for budget and planning of the South
African procurement board, a subsidiary of ministry of aviation. This
committee is principally concerned with contract approvals and project of
the government of South Africa with my position; I have successfully secured
for myself the sum of Seventeen Million United States Dollars (USD$17,000,000)
this amount was accumulated by careful manipulation/over invoicing of an old
project.



What I need from you is to provide a safe account into which this fund will
be transferred into since our laws do not allow government officials to
operate foreign account. It has been agreed that the owner of the account
will be compensated with 25% (US$4,250.000.00) (Four Million Two Hundred and
Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) net per-transfer to you for expenses
you may incur, 5% (US$850,000.00) (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United
States Dollars) set aside for general expenses, while the remaining 70%
(US$11,900 000.00) (Five Million Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand United
States Dollars) will be for me and my lawyer and I guarantee you that all
expenses during the transfer are subject to refund. Most importantly, I must
emphasize that this business requires the utmost confidentiality and
trustworthiness. We need to make an agreement that will bind us together and
the same will protect individual interest in the near future.



If this proposal satisfies you, then give me a call or reply me through fax
or email as above .so that we (My Lawyer) can advice you on the modalities
of the transaction. All modalities of the transfer have been worked out and
once started will not take more than 14 banking days with the absolute
support of all concerned. ***This transaction is 100% risk free. ***



I will be monitoring the whole situation from here until you confirm the
accreditation of the fund in your would be provided account in your country
and ask me to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund
according to percentages previously indicated and further investment, either
in your country or any country you advice us to invest in. All other
necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from you.





Please treat this as urgent and very confidential, as I look forward to your
urgent response.



*God bless
*

*Best Regards, *
Mr. Eddy Mendu

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam