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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Maja Elsworth Woza <majawoza@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2006 10:40:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Thanks for your mail




Dear Friend,

Thank you for your prompt response and your willingness to assist me in this transaction.

Before we proceed further I would like to know if you are capable to handle this transaction and what are the business opportunity for investment of this fund in your country. I am a reputable attorney here in Lagos so if you are capable to handle this transaction, I will use my legal backing and experience to conclude this transaction in good faith without any further delay.
As a matter of urgency, kindly furnish me with your mobile telephone, address and your receiving bank account details where you want the fund to be transfered for onward investment in your country to enable me submit it to the paying bank as to indicate you as the legitimate next of kin to the deceased family due to everything will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law so bear in mind that you are legally protected. There is no risk involved ok.

All I needed is your sincere and maximum coopration for a smooth and successful operation and once I heard from you positively, I will be sending to you a text of the application which you will be required to forward to the paying bank as the deceased next of kin, of which I have already informed them about you as the lawyer in-charge.
Also bear in mind that 30% of the total amount of US$18.5MILLION will goes to you as the account holder while the remaining will be for my investment in your country which you will direct me to invest in a very profitable business because I do not know anything about investment.

I will therefore want you to act fast as we have limited time to get this concluded in this quarter because the paying bank have given me a mandate.
I will be expecting your prompt and positive response.

Thanks for your understanding and may almighty God bless us all.

Best regards,

Barr.Maja Woza Esq.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam