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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 state 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 highly confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • +27834223671 (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.
  • petersono121@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "peter sono" <petersono121@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:47:41 -0500
Subject: FROM Mr.PETER SONO

>FROM Mr.PETER SONO
Ministry Of Transport and Aviation,
South Africa.
E-mail: petersono121@hotmail.com
TEL: +27 83-422-3671

BUSINESS PROPOSAL




SIR/MADAM.

This letter is not intending to cause you any embarrassment in what ever
form, rather an appeal for assistance. I am the Principal Accountant
attached to the Department of Transport and Aviation here in South Africa. I
have decided to send forth this proposal to you after due liberation. I have
in my possession the sum of US$30.5 Thirty million five hundred thousand
united state dollars).The above fund, which is now in a Government suspense
account, was accrued from recent contract, awarded to a foreign firm, for
supplies of raw materials, to my Department. This is in pursuant to the
terms of our agreement under the international monetary fund (I.M.F.) and
Paris Club dept-servicing program to pay out all outstanding dept owed to
foreign firms.


I now seek your assistance for the easy transfer of the over-invoiced
(surplus) amount as the foreign beneficiary. And also in recognition of your
personal executive profile and investment opportunities available in your
country. At this juncture, I want you to stand as the original foreign
contractor to the above fund to enable me put claim on the above sum. I will
manipulate and authenticate the payment to your name. I am assuring you that
it is a 100% risk free transaction because all the necessary arrangements
are already been made.

Finally, I have agreed to give you 30% of the fund due to your assistance,
5% t o be set aside for expenses made by both sides. While the remaining 65%
will be for my investment in your country. If satisfied with this proposal,
kindly notify me by telephone or send a fax so that I can furnish you with
more details on how the transaction will be done. I will be with you in
person after the fund arrives in your country. Please note that this is
highly confidential and should be treated as such.

Best regards,

Mr. PETER SONO

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam