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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • sado_williams@excite.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Dennis Jeff" <dennis_jeff9@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 15:52:11 +0000
Subject: JOINT PROPOSAL

ANTT:

JOINT PROPOSAL

13th JAN, 2006

Please do not be offended if I have invaded your privacy. I am Mr. Sado
Williams,I am contacting you on a business transaction involving a
huge sum of money from a deceased account. Though I know that a
transaction of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive, but I am
assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day. I decided to
contact you due to the urgency of this transaction.
I was the accounts officer to Late Mrs.Stella Obasanjo, First Lady to
the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wife to President Olusegun
Obasanjo. Mrs. Stella Obasanjo died in the early hours of Sunday 23rd
October 2005 in Spain where she went for a surgical
operation.
(http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200510/s1488708.htm)
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4374532.stm )
While she was alive, I oversaw her accounts and other
official/financial obligations as my office demanded being her accounts
officer operation.
Before the death of Late Mrs.Stella Obasanjo we deposited the sum of
£27,000,000 (Twenty Seven Million Pound Sterlings) in a security
company in Amsterdam and London. I happened to know these because I am her
accountant's officer handling her financial matters. The documents are
in my possession so I seek your assistance to transfer these funds. In
return for your service and assistance you will be entitled to 25% of this
money, 5% will go to settle all expenses incurred during the process of this
transaction, while the balance 70% will go to us. Please acknowledge
receipt of this message by contacting me via my private

e-mail: sado_williams@excite.com

1. Your full Names
2. Your complete mailing address
3. Your private Telephone and fax numbers
4. Your private email address

Upon your reply to this email, I will give you more information. I am
also assuring you that this transaction is 100% risk free on your part
andit has been logically and carefully worked out for a successful
execution.
I solicit your interest and trust in this proposal as I await your
response.

Sado Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam