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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.

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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
• 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.
  • +27783337648 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "TULA WILLIAMS" <tula_williams106@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 10:19:47 +0000
Subject: PARTNERSHIP IN BUSINESS

FROM: MR.Tula WILLIAMS
17 Garden Street.
Johannesburg
South Africa
Tele + 27 78333 7648



Attn: SIR/MADAM,

I know you will be surprise to read a letter from me but please consider
this as a request from a family in dare need of assistance. I am Mr. MR.Tula
WILLIAMS the First Son of the late Mr. WILLIAMS CLARK who was assassinated
by the so-called war veterans of Zimbabwe is writing from South Africa where
I am now as refugee with my Mother Mrs.. Cecelia TULA who is now a Widow and
my sister. I got your contact from the South African INFORMATION EXCHANGE
(S.A.I.E.) Johannesburg. My late father was a great rich farmer and a front
liner to oppose the intimidating new land act meant to dispossess farm land
from the white and Black farmers.

As the result of my husband's opposition, the war veterans sponsored by the
tyrannical government led by the Dictator, PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE started
to terrorize his life. He ran to South Africa as apolitical asylum seeker
(REFUGEE) with the Sum of TEN MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S. DOLLARS
ONLY (US$10,300,000.00). Which he realized from the sale of tobacco and
livestock (cattle) but as a refugee he was not allowed to open a bank
account he then deposited this fund in a security company as family
valuable, since the security companies do not run banking activities.

When the tension in our country looked calm he returned home and handed over
the deposit agreements and insurance document issued
to him by the security company in South Africa, where he deposited the safe
box containing this fund for safe keeping. According to him, the content of
the said BOX was not actually disclosed to the security company but rather
it was declared to them as a GERM STONES. After two days of his return to
Zimbabwe the assassins trooped invade into our compound at about11pm local
time 29th January last year and killed him. Also they sought to kill the
entire family but as God is alive We escape and successfully ran out of the
country to the neighboring South Africa as a refugee. Our refugee status
does not empower us to run any business or to open an account so right now
we are living below poverty level.

We are suffering hence I write you to assist us transfer this fund into your
personal or company's account Now, I would like you to come down to South
Africa and assist me to get the fund from the Security Company and also to
open a non-resident dollar account where the money
Will be deposited first for onward transfer into your accounts that when I
came to your country you will also assist me invest it.

The family agreed to offer you 25% of the total sum for your assistance and
5% of the expenses that might be incurred in the course of the transfer and
the remaining 70% for the families’ investment in your country which you
will also assist us to materialize. On the acceptance of this proposal, you
should furnish me with your private telephone, fax number and I will like
you to contact me through the above telephone and E-mail. Please treat this
matter with urgency and confidential put all my faith in you. Wishing you
now and always God's blessings.

Thanks,
Best regard
MR.Tula Williams

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam