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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:
  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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +66813821283 (Thailand, probably a 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.
  • ahmed_w@she.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "FROM: AHMED WILLIAMS" <ahmed_w@she.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 22:39:13 +0700
Subject: FROM: AHMED WILLIAMS

FROM: AHMED WILLIAMS
BANGKOK.THAILAND
Tel : +66-8-13821283
Fax: +66-2-5860680 .
Email:ahmed_w@she.com
Dear Sir,
PRIVATE AND HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
Greeting! I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please this
letter is a request from a family in dire need of assistance. I am Mr. Ahmed Williams from Angola.The first and the only son of Brigadier Chanza Williams communicating to you from BANGKOK, THAILAND. I got your address from my random search at the net. And, I on behalf of my widowed mother Mrs. Tara Williams decided to solicit for your assistance to transfer the sum of US$25.8 Million (Twenty five Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), which he deposited in a safe box to private security company . In fact my father said, and I quote: “My son, I wish to draw your attention to US$25.8 Million (Twenty five Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). I deposited the box containing the fund in a security company as valuables. During the war, I was very committed and dedicated in winning the war against the rebels, until I found out that the senior army officers and government functionaries were busy helping themselves with government f
unds and properties, sending them to foreign countries. Due to this, when the former adviser to the president and I were assigned by the president (JOSE EDUARDO SANTOS) to purchase arms in South Africa, we saw this as a golden opportunity and diverted the money and share it, of which I got a total sum of US$25.8 Million (Thwenty five Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). In case of my absence on earth as a result of death, only you should solicit for assistance of a reliable and sincere foreign partner to assist you to transfer this money out for investment purpose from where it is for now . I deposited the box in your name and you can claim it alone with deposited code. Your mother is with all the documents. Take good care of your mother and your sisters. From these words of my late father, you can understand that life and future of my family depend on this fund, as such I will be grateful if you can assist us. We are now living in THAILAND as politic
al asylum
seekers. Financial laws and regulations of the KINDOM OF THAILAND do not permit us certain financial rights. In view of this, I cannot invest this fund in THAILAND hence; I am seeking your assistance to transfer this fund out for investment purpose. For your assistance, we are prepared to offer you 25% of the total fund while 5% will be set aside for any expenses incurred during this transaction.
Please note that this transaction is 100% risk-free and the major thing I demand from you is to assure me the safety of this money when it finally gets to you. Further information and arrangement commence as soon as trust confidence and good relationship are established. I shall be most grateful if you maintain the confidentiality of this matter.Please,
confirm your interest through the above contact telephone numbers or email; ahmed_w@she.com

Best regards,
Ahmed,w

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam