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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a orphan 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.
  • +27781617166 (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.
  • roby.hooks@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Robert Hook <roby.hook43@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <roby.hooks@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 20:45:32 +0000
Subject: PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE



FROM: Robert Hook
E-mail: roby.hooks@yahoo.co.uk
(JHB) SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 781617166

Dear Sir/Madam,
URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL
With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you this request, which I hope would be of great interest to you. I acknowledge that this may come to you as a surprise, but would advice that you consider it as a request from a family in dare need of assistance. I am Mr. Robert Hook the son of Late Mr. David Hook, who was the "Chairman" of the farmer's co-operation in Zimbabwe. I am requesting that you serve as a foreign partner that will assist my family and I to transfer my late fathers fund out of South Africa to Your personal or private account and for investment purpose.
My Father was among the few blacks that were murdered in cold blood by the President Robert Mugabe Administration during the land dispute that just happened in Zimbabwe.
After the death of my Father, we decided to move out of ZIMBABWE because our lives were in danger. Before the death of my father he he deposited the sume of US$15.9 Million Dollars (FIFTEEN MILLION NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS), with A Security company in South Africa as effect belonging to him and his foreign pertner . I have all the document to as
This money was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of new farms in Swaziland. We moved to South Africa and deposited this money in a security company in a box as valuables belonging to our foreign partner pending when we see somebody that will assist us, for the safety of ours.
We are presently in South Africa as Refugee (Asylum Seekers) and as such the law of South Africa does not permit us to operate or open any bank account here in South Africa or be involved in any financial transaction with the bank. That is why we are contacted you to assist us in this transaction.
We are ready to give you 25% of the total amount for the inconveniences this will cost you and for accepting to assist us; we have also agreed to give 5% of the total amount for any expenses you will incur in the process of this transaction. Contact me on the above email or phone number to indicate your interest as soon as possible, and may God bless you as you help us.

I anticipate your quick response

MR.Robert Hook
(For and on Behalf of the Family)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam