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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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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)
  • "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)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "paul chinakwe" <paulchinakwe@msn.com>
Reply-To: paulchinakwe1@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 07:53:12 +0000
Subject: Hope Hearing From You.

Dearest Nan,

This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whatever form,
rather it is intended to contact your esteemed self, in my effort to make
this proposal to you. Firstly, I must solicit your confidentiality and
assure you that my proposal is made in good faith and will be of mutual
benefit.

I am Paul Chinakwe, lawyer and personal assistant to Alhaji Abubakar Atiku
Bagudu, confidant and friend of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, the former
military Head of State of Nigeria who died in 1998. I got your contact
through the email business directory in my search for assistance and decided
to contact you.

Since the general’s death, members of his family and my client’s have been
in constant harassment from vindictive government officials who are bent on
now settling scores they should have settled with the general when he was
alive. Most of their accounts both home and abroad have been seized and
confiscated. You can find out more about this on this website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/613565.stm

Based on these developments, my client has asked me to seek for a foreign
partner who will assist us in receiving the total sum of US$75,000,000.00
(Seventy-Five Million United States Dollars} for investment in Real Estate
or any other profitable business in your country, on behalf of the general’s
family.

This will be carried out in three phases involving twenty five millions
each, presently in the vault of a security company in overseas where it was
deposited by the late general before his death.

Modalities to successfully complete this transaction have been carefully and
effectively worked out to ensure success with strict adherence.

I will require us to discuss this proposal more elaborately over the
telephone and reach an agreement. Please furnish me with your personal
details i.e. full names and personal telephone numbers, on receipt of which
I will send to you the following documents:

1] The deposit security code.
2] The deposit certificate.
3] The power of attorney to enable you receive the funds on our behalf.

I await further instructions from you.

Thank you for your understanding.

Respectfully submitted,
Yours in active service,

Paul Chinakwe.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam