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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27838988828 (South Africa, 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.
  • petvusi01@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Petvusi01@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 13:59:26 +0200
Subject: VERY URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Peter Vusi

Phone: +2783-898-8828

Mail: petvusi01@yahoo.com

CONFIDENTIAL



ATTN:

I know You will be surprised to receive this letter from me, but please this letter is a request from a family in dare need of assistance. I am Mr. Peter Vusi from Angola. The first, and only son of Brigadier Bulu Vusi communicating to you from A country Republic of South Africa.

I on behalf of my widowed mother Mrs.Anne Vusi, decided to solicit for your assistance to transfer the sum of US$32.5millio(thirty Two million, five hundred thousand United States dollars only) inherited from my late father into your personal or company's account. Before his death, he was Brigadier in charge of arms and ammunition requirement for the Angolan Army. In his "will" he specifically draw my attention to US$32.5 million (thirty two million, five hundred thousand United States dollars only) which he deposited in a box for private security company in Johannesburg South Africa, IN FACT I QUOTE" My beloved son, I wish to draw your attention to US$32.5 million (thirty two million, five hundred thousand United States dollars only). I deposited the box containing the fund In a security company in Johannesburg, South Africa as valuables.During the war I was very dedicated and committed to winning the war against the rebel unit. I found out that the senior army officers and government functionaries were bu
sy helping themselves with government fund and properties, sending them to foreign countries. Due to this, when I and the former special adviser to the president were assigned by the president (Jose Eduardo santos) to purchase arms in South Africa, we saw this as a golden opportunity and diverted the money and shared it, of which I got a total sum of US$32.5 million (thirty two million, five hundred thousand United State dollars only). In case of my absence on earth as a result of death, only you should solicit for the assistance of a reliable and sincere foreign partner to assist you transfer this money out of South Africa for investment purpose.

I deposited the box in with the name of foreign partner which l never disclose to the security company and you can claim it alone with deposit code. Your mother is with all the documents. Take good care of mother and your sister. Do not disappoint me! Bye! From this word of my late father, you will understand that lives and future of my family depend on this fund as such. I will be grateful if you can assist us. We are now living in South Africa refugee camp, as political asylum seekers, financial laws and regulation of South Africa does not permit us certain financial right. In view of this, I cannot invest this fund in Africa due to how the money was gotten by my late father hence,

I am seeking your assistance to transfer this fund out of South Africa for investment purpose. For your effort, we are prepared to offer you 25% of the total fund while 10% will be set aside for any expenses incurred during this transaction. Please, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and the major thing I demand from you is to assure me the safety of this money when it finally gets to you.

Further information and arrangement will commence as soon as trust confidence and good relationship is established I will be most grateful if you maintain the confidentiality of this matter. Please, confirm your interest immediately by sending to me your private telephone and fax number for easy communication. Also to prepare your mind to come over to meet us here in South Africa to take you to the security company for us to claim the consignment.

Best regards,



PETER VUSI.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam