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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • el_diaara@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: El-hadji Diaara <el_diaara@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 07:26:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Please, reply immediately.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: el_diaara@yahoo.com

From: Mr. El_Hadji DIAARA


Attn:


It is my pleasure to write this letter irrespective of

the fact that you do not know me. However, I came to

know of your contact in my private search for a

reliable and trustworthy person that can handle a

confidential transaction of this nature in respect to

our investment plans in real estate. Though, I know

that a transaction of this magnitude will make anyone

apprehensive and worried even anxious, but I am assuring

you that all will be well at the end of the day.


I am MR. EL_HADJI DIAARA, from the auditing section of

a bank here in ABIDJAN, COTE D’IVOIRE. With due

respect and regards, I have decided to contact you on

a business transaction that will be very beneficial to

both of us at the end of the transaction.


During our investigation and auditing in the bank, my

department came across a very huge sum of money

belonging to a deceased person, a foreigner who died

on 31st October 1999 in a plane crash, and the fund

has been dormant in his account with the bank without

any claim of the fund either from his family or

relation before our discovery to this development.


Personally, I have kept this information secret within

myself and two of my partners to enable the whole

plans and idea be profitable and successful during the

time of execution. The amount involved is (US$25.M)

Twenty five million United States Dollars. I

believe that you will be viable and capable to

champion a business of such magnitude without any

problem.


Meanwhile, all the arrangements to put claim over this

funds as the bona fide next of kin to the deceased,

get the required approval and to transfer this money

into a foreign account has been put in place and

directives and needed information will be relayed to

you as soon as you indicate your interest and

willingness to assist us.


I could have done this deal alone, but because of my

position in this country, as a civil servant we are

not allowed to operate a foreign account and would

eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the

time of transfer because I work in this Bank. This is

the actual reason why it requires a second party or

fellow who will forward claims to the bank as the next

of kin to the deceased foreigner and also present a

foreign account where he will need the money to be

re-transferred into on his request as it may be, after

due verification and clarification to designated bank

account. I will not fail to inform you that this

transaction is 100% risk free.


On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be

entitled to 15% of the total sum as gratification,

while 5% will be set aside to take care of the

expenses that may arise during the time of the

transfer such as telephone bills etc, while 80% will

be for me and my partners. Please, you have been

advised to keep this a top secret as we are still in

service and intend to retire from service after we

conclude this deal with you. I will be monitoring the

whole situation here in the bank until you confirm the

money in your account and ask me to come down to your

country for subsequent sharing of the fund according

to percentage previously indicated and further invest,

either in your country or any other country you may

advise to invest on.

All other necessary information will be sent to you

when I hear from you. You contact me through this mail


Best regards


MR. EL_HADJI DIAARA

- El-hadji Diaara

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam