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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:
  • "is highly confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Abbey Lartey" <ablartey01@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 18:50:15 +0000
Subject: RE:INVESTMENT OFFER

My name is Abbey Lartey I am a broker. I assist officials especially top Government functionaries who have funds to move/transfer to any part of the world. As you probably know government policies prohibits or forbids serving public officers to operate offshore accounts and transferring funds to same. They are equally constrained to maintain local accounts with huge amounts, which limits their investment propensity. One cannot stop making money if opportunities are provided while in service. In this regard, one who is honest, capable and reliable is needed to secure any amount entrusted to him or her for the purpose of investment under your directives in your country.
It's my duty to search for a foreigner who is willing to participate in this venture as well as direct or coordinate the manner of movement of the funds to you. It's my client's intention to relocate to your country with family after tenure in the office. Right now, I have a client who wants to move the sum of THIRTY-SIX MILLION DOLLARS ($36 USD) to your country. My client is offering you the option of 20% of same or percentage (to be worked out) of proceeds of your prospective investment of same. My client is ready to take care of the expenses. If you are interested in this opportunity to make some money, please get back to me promptly for details. This is highly confidential and I urge you to treat as such.
Please send your reply to my private email address.
Sincerely,
Mr.Abbey

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam