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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:
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Hene Hoff" <heneh23@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: he@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 10:08:39 -1200
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION

Miss. Hene Hoff
HTP Rue de commerce
07 BP 113 Abidjan 07
Cote d'Ivoire
Dear Sir/Madam.
For your assistance please. I write to solicit for your assistance for this transaction believing that you will treat this with utmost confidence,and excuse me for the embarrassment this letter might cause you as we have not met or known each other before.

I am Miss. Hene Hoff I am from Sierra Leone but i am living in Ivory Coast here in West Africa purposely because of this matter i am entrusting in you. I obtained your email from the internet, while searching for a reliable person. It is my desire to contact you on honesty and sincerity to assist me in transferring the sum of $5,000,000(Five Million United States Dollars) inherited from my father late Mr. Philip Hoff, to your care for investment pupose in your country. I am motivated in contacting you and hope to gradually build trust, relationship and confidence in you as I get to know you better.

The fund is sealed in the Metal Trunk Box and deposited in the custody of security company here in Cote d'Ivoire. If you are trustworthy and can assist me in receiving these cash fund in your possession, I will like you to provide immediately to me, your full names, address, and telephone number. Please note that there may be financial obligation required to help me on agreement to pay you back with reasonable % of my total fund. I hope for you sincere esponse to proceed in true relationship.

Thanks,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam