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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  • princemartinskamara@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "PRINCE MARTINS" <princemartinskamara@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:00:10 +0000
Subject: INQUIRE OF YOUR SERVICES - Prince Martins

From PRINCE MARTINS
Email: princemartinskamara@yahoo.com

Dear,

I wish to inquire of your services to be my foreign partner / investor
and support me to transfer and manage my funds by investing in profit
making ventures like buying of company shares or Real Estate Investment
Trust funds in your country. The recent growth of your country Economy
and Trade activities impressed me, having thought of how greater the
market will look in the next 10-20 years.

I am Mr.Prince Martins, the only son of late Chief. Edward K. Martins.
I am a citizen of Sierra Leone, a native of mende district in the
Northern province of Sierra .Leone, and was born in May 22nd 1984. My
father, was a great Farmer and cocoa merchant in Issia the South province of
Cote d'ivoire(Ivory Cost) when he was alive, Last year he was poisoned
by his business associates which he surffered and died, He willed me
this sum Seventeen Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
(US$17,300,000.00) which he deposited for safe custody in a Security
Company in Abidjan the capital city of cote d'ivoire(Ivory Cost).

The funds in question are in cash and it was packed in a trunk box and
deposited as Personal Effect in Security Firm called MAGNUM SECURITY
COMPANY in my father's name. I humbly solicit your assistance to claim
this fund from the Security Company and transfer it to your country
investment purpose, and help me to relocate to your country and have a
better future since the Africa environment is not favorable to me.

Most importantly. The whole documents issued after deposit are in my
custody as the next of kin, For your assistance. I beg to concede 25% of
this money to you for your efforts assistance.

Best regards.

Mr.Prince Martins.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam