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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +27739756777 (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.
  • contact_email_100@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "samuel thabo" <sa_thabo_za17@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 08:33:22 +0000
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR AUDIT/ACCOUNTS UNITS
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
RESERVE BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA.
142 WEST, STREET SANDTON 2196
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
PHONE:+27-739756777

ATTN:CEO/PRESIDENT,
URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANT

With due honor and respect, I introduce myself to you for a better
relationship. I am Samuel Thabo, Assistant head of Audit/Accounts unit,
Foreign Remittance Department of South African Reserve Bank. Your contact
is courtesy of Business online network via Internet as I decided to contact
you for this beneficial transaction that is 100% risk free.

During auditing, verifications/investigations in our Bank at the end of last
fiscal (financial) year, I discovered the sum of (US$15.5) FIFTEEN MILLION,
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) in a dormant account belonging
to Mr. Arnold Smith, who worked for the BP Oil Exploration Company in
Southern Africa, He died along with his family (next of kin) in the November
5, 1997 plane crash in Abidjan. Our investigations reveal no survival, no
NEXT OF KIN/RELATIONS for claims as we have long been expecting someone to
forward applications for claims as it applies to our banking regulations.

Information / verifications from reliable sources confirmed that his
supposed “NEXT OF KINS” died with him in the crash. Hence this for your
perusals. However, I keep this information (SECRET) confidential within my
jurisdiction to enable us submit claims and transfer this fund through
trustworthy person whom we shall present to our bank as the BONAFIDE “NEXT
OF KIN” to the deceased.We intent to credit this fund into any of your
nominated (designated) offshore bank account for investments. Meanwhile, all
domestic arrangements for claims have been put in place awaiting your
acceptance to participate. I will give you directives and all needed
information as soon as I receive your positive response. Kindly understand
that we could not carry out this on our own at based on the simple facts
that we are civil servants and precluded from operating foreign account and
too, it will raise eyebrows on our side in terms of transfer being staff of
the bank. My colleague and I have resolved to offer you 30% of the total
sum as commission. I am assuring you of a smooth and successful transaction
provided you display maturity and observe confidentiality. And it will
interest you to know that the Reserve Bank will authorize credit of this
fund into your account as contract payment to alleviate you from all queries
regarding the source (originality) of fund and will provide you
(beneficiary) with contractual (data) details to certify your bank of
government if the need arises.

I am looking forwards towards your urgent response.
N/B: You can as well read more about the unclaimed funds in South Africa.

Best Regards,

Mr.Samuel Thabo.
E-mail Address; contact_email_100@yahoo.com
PHONE:+27-739756777

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam