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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27735999420 (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.
  • bocandrew00@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: bocandrew20@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:36:12 +0200
Subject: ZIMBABWEAN FARMERS PROBLEM, ASSISTANCE NEEDED

>From : Andrew Bocolo
Tel : 0027 73 5999 420
E-mail: bocandrew00@yahoo.com

ZIMBABWEAN FARMERS PROBLEM, PLEASE HELP


Dear Sir/Madam,


Here is before you a lonely message from a gentleman who lost his father (a successful mechanized farmer) to the bad government policies in Zimbabwe (Southern Africa). Our family was blessed with one girl with whom i presently seek a refugee status in the republic of South Africa. However, my mother named SHERRY BOCOLO has also joined us in Johannesburg early this month.

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you do not know me personally. I am Mr.ANDREW BOCOLO, the only son to late ALAN BOCOLO, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe (Southern Africa). I got your contact through the network online and i decided to notify you of my predicament, maybe you could be of help.

Before the death of my father, he had taken me to Johannesburg, South Africa to deposit the sum of US$15 Million in one of the private security companies, as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. This money was deposited in a box as gem stones to avoid much demurrage from the Security Company. This amount was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of a new farm in Swaziland, a neighbouring country.

This land problem came when Zimbabwean President Mr Robert Mugabe introduced a new Land Act reform which wholly affected the rich white farmers and some few black farmers.This resulted to the killing and mob action by Zimbabwean war veterans and some lunatics in the society. In fact, a lot of people were killed because of this land reformed Act for which my husband was one of the victims.

It is against this background that, I and my family who are currently staying in South Africa decided to transfer my father's money to a foreign country since the law of South Africa prohibits refugees to open any bank account or to be involved in any financial transaction througout the territorial zones of South Africa. As a single son of the family, i am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred into without the knowledge of my government who are bent on taking everything .

All i seek for is an honest businessman, whom i can entrust my future and that of my family.I must also let you know that this transaction is 100% risk free. If you accept to assist me and my family all i want from you is for you to make arrangements and come to Johannesburg , South Africa, so that you can help me open a non-resident account in your name which will aid us in transfering the money into any account you will nominate overseas. This money i intend to use for investment and growth in your country.

I have two options for you, firstly you can choose to have certain percentage of the money for nominating your account for this transaction, Or you can go into partnership with me for the proper profitable investment of the money in your country. Whichever option you want, please feel free to notify me.I have also mapped out 5% of this money for all kinds of expenses we might incurred in the process of this transaction. If you do not prefer a partnership ,i am willing to give you 35% of the money while the remaining 60% will remain for me and my family.

If you are capable and willing to assist me,please contact me immediately with your mobile phone number, or through this email address with which i have sent you this message.

Finally, please treat this matter as urgent as possible, i am in dire need to leave this country soonest.

Thanks for your mutual co-operation, i expect your soonest response.

Kind Regards,

Mr.ANDREW BOCOLO.
TEL:+27 73 5999 420

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam