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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "million us 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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Yomi Martins" <mr_martins1012@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 10:22:17 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Dear Friend,


Dear Friend,

I write to bring to your notice this passionate appeal, sincerely requesting your candid assistance here. If you promise to treat this issue with utmost confidentiality, then consider yourself my foreign partner.

I have the sum of 7.5 Million US Dollars, which I want to transfer to your country for safekeeping. I made this money from contracts executed with different parastatals while I was still working for my government. If you can assist me, I will transfer this fund through a Diplomatic conveyance to your country or through any other means you will prefer for security and safety reasons.

I boxed this money and deposited it with a Security Company based in London. If you are interested and capable of handling this deal, do let me know and at the successful delivery of this box to you, I will give you the Security Password (Code) with which you will open the box and take out exactly 20% of the total sum for your kind assistance.

I will provide all the money that will be required to execute this deal. All I need here is your sincere co-operation and a promise that you can handle a deal of this magnitude.

After you must have given this a thoughtful consideration, furnish me with the following personal data: Your full names, address, phone number and a proof of identity.

As soon as I receive this information, I will have to forward same to the Security Company in London stating that you are the owner and recipient of the box.

I await your urgent response to this mail.

Regards,

Mr. Yomi Martins.

NOTE: THE SECURITY COMPANY IN LONDON DO NOT KNOW THAT THIS BOX CONTAINS MONEY AS I DEPOSITED IT AS FAMILY VALUABLES AND YOU MUST NOT LET THEM KNOW THIS.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam