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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • johnaghaz1965@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "MR JOHN AGHAZ" <aghazjohn1@yahoo.co.in> (may be fake)
Reply-To: aghazjohn01@yahoo.fr
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 01:35:17 +0000
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL.

Dear Sir,

My reason for contacting you is based on an urgent need to invest some fund
amounting to $8,200,000.00 (Eight Million Two Hundred Thousand United States
dollars) into your company or any viable business in your country. This fund
accrued legitimately to us as commission from foreign contracts, through our
private connections. The fund is presently waiting to be remitted by the apex
bank to any foreign bank account presented by us for this remittance.
However, by virtue of our positions as civil servants in our country, we cannot
acquire this money in our names, because as high placed civil servants, we are
not allowed by the civil service code of conduct to own or operate foreign bank
accounts outside our shores. On the other hand, it is not safe for us to keep
the money here due to our unstable political environment. What I request is a
honest foreign partner in whose account we will transfer the sum of
$8,200,000.00 US dollars for mutual benefit and further investment projects in
your country. On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to
your own share of the total sum as gratification. We have agreed that 30 % of
this money will be for you as our foreign partner, in respect to the provision
of a foreign bank account for the transfer, and 70% would be for me and my
colleague. Thereafter I and my colleague will visit your country for
disbursement and further investmen!
t projects, hence the reason for requesting your sincere co-operation in
working together as partners and receive the funds in your bank account with
total trust.
For further information please contact me immediately via email on
johnaghaz1965@yahoo.co.uk

Waiting for your reply message.
Best Regards,
Mr. John Aghaz
Fed.Rep.Of Senegal,Dakar

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam