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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:
  • "million united states 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (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.
  • +27721249152 (South Africa, 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.
  • vicdabi@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Victor Dabi <vicdabi@sify.com>
Reply-To: victordabi@sify.com
Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2006 21:59:47 -0700
Subject: PARTNERSHIP


Mr. VICTOR DABI
28 MACARTY AVENUE, RANDBURG
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: +27 72 1249152
ATTN: MANAGER/C.E.O
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
I have the honor and confidence to introduce this business to you, in view of the fact that you will accept to be our partner. Obviously, you will be surprised to read this letter from me, but consider it as a request from a stranger in dare need of a foreign partner.
I got your contact via the net in search of a name that will best sooth our plans. I am Mr. Victor Dabi, an Auditor contracted by AMALGAMATED BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA (ABSA). There is an account opened in this bank in 1995 by Mr. T.J. Martins a foreigner and a miner with a balance of US$26 MILLION (TWENTY SIX MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS). This account has been dormant since 1997, which prompted an investigation that lasted for six months, it was however discovered that the owner of this account died in a ghastly motor accident on the 15th of September 1997. Unfortunately for the late client he did not leave any clue or lead that could help the bank locate any of his relatives.

The bank is ready to welcome any person (a foreigner) who has the correct information to lay claims to the money. I have all the information in my possession and will make them available to you at the appropriate time if we agree to move forward. All that is needed from you firstly is to indicate interest in the transaction and the rest of the process will follow. Please note that as an extra security measure we have plan in place to destroy all documents and computer information pertaining this transaction, immediately business is concluded and transfer affected.
We have unanimously agreed to give you 25% of the above amount, as we shall retain 75% and any money spent during the process will be deducted before sharing. I want to assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free rather my only worry is the safety of the money once it gets into your account, hence we must draft a business agreement that will be binding to all of us. I have a senior person in the bank as an insider though he chose to remain anonymous but will be instrumental in endorsing all approvals. In all we expect to conclude the business in less than 21 days.
I look forward to receiving your acceptance letter in order to give you more details on the process of the transaction.
Regards,
Victor Dabi.
Alternative address: vicdabi@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam