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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2348026104661 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • mikewillstbs1@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "mike Williams" <mikewillstbs@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mikewillstbs1@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 18:55:06 +0100
Subject: Request for Investment Assistance

Dear sir/madam,
I am Michael Williams (Esq), a private solicitor/legal counsel attached to
Nigerian Aviation Ministry here inWest Africa . My primary aim is to secure
clients funds and to ensure that it is wisely invested in safe and non
speculative projects that would yield maximum returns and less tax.
In all instances, most of our clients may request some confidentiality
especially if they are government contractors ,serving or retired public
servants as is the case with a deceased client of mine (names withheld for
now), who died without leaving any WILL and I knew he was the only surviving
son of his late parents. I have made every effort to trace his near
relatives over the Internet but to no avail hence , I decided to make this
proposal seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin, so that the
proceeds of this account can be paid to you, for us to share/invest in
lucrative ventures.
The deceased had an asset account valued at Fourteen million, five hundred
thousand ($14.5m) United States Dollars which originated from finished
contracts .The financial institution has issued a notice of claim for the
Next of Kin to come forward or the deposit be redirected to the state. All
necessary procedures to back up claims as beneficiary on your behalf will be
legitimately done through the appropriate govt offices here by me just to
ensure hitchfree transaction and our collective protection.Be informed that
your gratification for assisting me to claim this money shall be 30%; while
the remaining 70% shall be mine. In my next e-mail, I shall give you detail
explanation on how the project will be executed. Meanwhile, acknowledge the
receipt of this mail immediately and include your personal and direct
telephone/fax numbers for easy communication. Please Email:
<mikewillstbs1@yahoo.com> Call +234 80261 04661.
Yours sincerely ,
Michael Williams Esq.
TBS SAC, La- Nig.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam