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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "security company in holland" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
• This email message is a "Zimbabwe" 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.
  • +27837304065 (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.
  • kativalawrence2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "international award" <inl_awd23@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 11:43:17 +0000
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL

From: Mr Lawrence K Lookman.
Tel: +27-837-304-065
E-mail: kativalawrence2@yahoo.com
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA.

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

I am Lawrence K Lookman. The only son of Mr. Kativa Lookman of Zimbabwe. It
might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address but I got your
contact address from the Johannesburg Chambers of Trade and Commerce, please
don’t be worried.

During the previous crises against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters
of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farmers in our
country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his
party members and their followers. My father was one of the best farmers in
the country and knowing that he did not support the Presidents political
ideology, the Presidents supporters invaded my fathers farm burnt down
everything, killed him and confiscated all his Investments.

After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger sister
decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along
with us the documents my father kept in the safe in my mothers care, which
was meant for the money he deposited in Netherlands (Holland) with a finance
and security company, in my Name which amounted to the sum of Twenty Five
Million United States Dollars ($25,000,000,00) .
He has deposited it as personal valuable in a private Security Company in
Holland. Presently we are in South Africa where we have sought political
asylum. My Mother and I have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm
or friend who could assist us to transfer this money out of the security
firm in Europe, because we as asylum seeker here in South Africa we are not
allowed certain financial rights like operating a bank account. We need you
to go to Europe or help us with any means to invest this money in your
country.

If our preposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to
your country or any suitable place of investment, we will offer you 20% of
the total fund.
For detailed information, you can contact me on my direct line
+27-837304065. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated.
Yours truly,

Lawrence Kativa.
(On Behalf Of The Family)

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam