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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:

• 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:
  • "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)
• 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.
  • mrs_fofana21u@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mrs_fofana mrs_fofana" <mrs_fofana29u@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 16:02:21 +0200
Subject: URGENT MAIL

Fofano Fortunes

 

From: "fofana shara" Emai;mrs_fofana21u@yahoo.com

 

I am Mrs. Sarah Fofana, an Ivorien widow with an only son Ibrahim Fofana.  My husband was the chief security officer to the ousted President Henry DEBIE of Cote d'voire.  During the overthrow of 24th December 1999, my husband was among the people that were killed by the military.

 

Sir, may I introduce this business proposal to you with reference to an introduction and good recommendation made of you and your esteemed firm by a renowned business consultant, ELDER MARK KOFFI here in South Africa. 

 

Though due to the confidential nature of the business, I did not intimate him fully why I needed a foreigner to transact some business with. I do hereby wish to ask for your assistance in an urgent business transaction that requires absolute honesty and secrecy.

 

Although I did not in any way disclose to my friend the details of this my proposal due to confidential nature of this transaction.  By virtue of my husband's position, the former President (BEDIE) gave him US 45.000.000.00 Dollars (forty-five million US dollars) cash in US $100 dollar bills stacked in a box when he got information that the military were planning to overthrow him.

 

Immediately my husband was confirmed dead, I made away with this box with my only son so that we cannot be reached by Mr. BEDIE. I have really been waiting for a more suitable time and opportunity to contact you concerning this transaction. 

Right now, the money is in a safe place, I deposited it with a security company for safe keeping. I am using this opportunity to seek for your assistance to move this money to your country, to be invested on behalf of my only son. 

 

For this business to be concluded immediately, all you need to do is to arrange to meet with me and my son where this box is been lodged, open an account in your name, pay in the whole money after clearing and transferring it to your chosen account. 

 

We can't do that on our own because we don't have account elsewhere.  Moreover, we don't have any business to cover-up, that is why we needed your assistance.  I am ready to offer you 30% of the total sum and give you the full power to manage the remaining 70% on behalf of my son.

 

Contact my son IBRAHIM FOFANA where we are currently staying in a sister's house in South Africa.  This money was deposited  in a security company in South Africa. Upon conclusion of arrangement, we shall forward to  you the certificate of deposit, and the phone and fax numbers of the security company for confirmation. 

However, call my son at this number (+0027-734 089 123) immediately you receive this e-mail message or through his e-mail address. 

 

Please, I want us to finish this business as quickly as possible. 

Yours faithfully

MRS. Sarah Fofana. 

For the family.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam