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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs.Sofina Almitu. <sofinaalmitu@zwallet.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:19:27 +0100
Subject: I Bring Greetings !!!!!

Dearest.

My name is Mrs Sofina Almitu , widow to late Mr.Aziz Almitu a kown oil merchant and politician in Saudi
arabia I am 65years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast ,From all indications my condition is
really deteriorating. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don't want your
pity but I need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from heart attack, and during the period of our marriage we couldn't
produce any child. My late husband was very wealthy and
after his death,I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that the situation is
terrible and it better i give the money to charity homes, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to
contribute mainly to the development of charity in Africa, America, Asia and Europe. I dont want to give
the money to any close friend or organisations, because they may use it for themself.

Am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail address in the web directory, and I have
decided to contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail offensive, you can ignore it and please
accept my apology.

Before my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon, in Saudi Arabia and deposited the sum of
$18.5M Dollars (Eighteen Million and five hundred
thousand united states Dollars) with a financial institution in Europe some years ago, this is all I have left
now, I need you to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charity ,so that i will know the funds is in
your hands and management.

I hope you will have mind and wisdom to touch very many lives, that is my
main concern , I have also decided that 10% of this money will be for your time and effort, while 90%
goes to charity.
So if you know you can assist me then forward to me immediately the following informations.
1) NAMES AND ADDRESS
2) PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
3) YOUR NATIONALITY
I await your most prompt response

Yours sincerely

Mrs. Sofina Almitu

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam