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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "idibiac idibia" <idibiac1077@msn.com>
Reply-To: myx7_10to10@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 17:17:00 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS TRANSACTION

Dear friend,

Compliments!

This is a proposal in context but actually an appeal soliciting for your
unreserved assistance in consummating an urgent business transaction
requiring maximum confidence. Though this approach
may appear desperate but I can assure you that whatever information you will
need to know regarding this proposal will be adequately provided to give you
a clearer understanding of the transaction, so as to arrive at a successful
conclusion.

My name is Tanko Ahmmed, personal aid to late Gen. Sani Abacha former
Nigerian head of state. I got your email contact during my quest for a
reliable person/company that can champion this
opportunity, and out of desperation I decided to reach you through this
medium. I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as I
confirm your 100% confidentiality.

My boss while in the office as the head of State made a secret deposit of
US$20 million in a security firm abroad prior to his sudden death in 1998 as
a result of heart failure. No other person has idea of this deposit except
myself as his close confidant. Unfortunately, my
boss died two weeks later and since then I have kept this to myself and have
been nursing secret
intention to divert the funds. Right now, I am seriously considering
settling down abroad in a friendly atmosphere like yours. So, I will
appreciate if you assist me secure these funds into
your account on my behalf for safekeeping and onward investment in your
company. I am willing
to gratify you with 20% of the said amount.

I will like you to furnish me with your private direct phone number so that
I can open up discussion with you in order for us to deliberate properly on
this issue. This will enable me give you more detailed picture of the
transaction so that we can put heads together and execute this transaction.
Hence, I am willing to give you 20% of the total funds for your anticipated
assistance.
I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely yours,

Tanko Ahmmed.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam