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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
  (+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:

• 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:
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +34616733333 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • wils_yen@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Williams Yengeni <wils_yen@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 19:11:27 +0200
Subject: PLEASE CALL ME BACK.


Mr.Williams Yengeni
Madrid,Spain
TELEPHONE :+34 616 733 333
Email: wils_yen@yahoo.com

Sir/Madam
With warm hearts I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope
this letter meets you in good time. However, I am sincerely seeking
your confidence in this transaction, which I propose with my free mind
and as a person of integrity. I got your contact as a result of my
discreet search for an associate who can help me. I know this e-mail must come to you as a surprise, more so that we have not met before.
My name is Mr.Williams Yengeni a south African citizen. I am the brother to Mr Tony Yengeni.My brother Mr.Tony was the chairman of parliament's in south Africa and the former chief whip of the ruling political party ANC .My Brother (MR. TONY. YENGENI),as a result of trust and Confidence he has mandated me that I search for a Reliable and trustworthy foreign partner, who will assist me in receiving some funds,which we have in cash Totalling US$24.5m (Twenty four million, five hundred thousand dollars ) which is in security company here in madrid Spain,which he declare as a family treasure.I am in Madrid the captial of Spain as an asylum seeker since our family bank accounts Within and outside the country have all been Frozen by the authorities.(I would refer you to these few Websites for further information About my family and Why I Really Require Your Assistance.)
1)http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2756861.stm>
2)http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/10/03/safrica.arms/index.html>
3)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1577682.stm>
However, I still want to let you know that this money is under the
custody of a Private Security And Finance Company in SPAIN
(name Withheld for security reasons) he handed me over a certificate Meant for a secret Deposit, which he made in the Security Company. If you may ask why do I need a foreign assistance or why can't I take the cash transfer by myself? The answer is that there was an exclusion clause in the Original agreement between the company and my Brother which states unambiguously that nobody not even himself, can have access to the consignment in the company, This was done because he envisaged his arrest and this clause were inserted to prevent any seizure or infiltration of the fund, and it has to be transferred to a Foreign beneficiary outside Spain. I believe you will appreciate the enormity of trust I repose on you by placing the fortunes of our family in your care. Permit me to request that you should reassure me that you would not let me down in any way. On my part, this is my assurance and guarantee to you. In as much as you follow my instructions carefully, religiously and promptly my guarantee of a hitch-free success remains Unshakable. I have contacted the Diplomatic Security Firm to confirm the deposit.
My decision to contact you is therefore, informed by this and due to my present social status and total Ignorance of the business world. I am believing you to be a trustworthy person and will not take advantage of us when the money gets to you. The total sum will be shared as follows: for your assistance we are offering you 25%, 70% For my family, 5% will be used for the reimbursement of all the expenses we will incur in the process of this project. Kindly confirm in your reply if you can come over to enable us conclude this transaction. There is no risk involved as we have put all modalities in place to see to the success of this project. This proposal is highly restricted and should be handled as an urgent transaction requiring trust and Confidentiality. Thanks while looking forward to hearing from you urgently
by email . wils_yen@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Sincerely,
God bless,
Mr.Williams Yengeni.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam