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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22995051553 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.Nasir Abdullaziz" <dr-a.nasir118@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <dr_a.nasir@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 11:38:36 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE : PLS GET BACK TO ME



HOPE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED.

FROM THE DESK OF:DR NASIR ABDULLAZIZDIRECTOR, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATIONFEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH ANDSOCIAL SERVICES,COTONOU,REPUBLIC OF BENIN.TEL: +22995051553SUBJECT:TRANSFER OF US$17.5 MILLION DOLLARS INTO A PERSONAL/COMPANY'S OFFSHORE ACCOUNT.ATTN:Sir,Based on the information gathered from the Ministry of Trade and Industry here in cotonou benin republic west africa,we intend to solicit your assistance on the aforementioned subject trusting that you will not betray any confidence that is to be reposed on you going by the fact that we've had no previous acquintance with one another.However,i am optimistic that this business proposals brought to you,would open doors for an unimagenable financial reward for the both of us.For an introduction,i am Dr Nasir Abdullaziz of the Republic of Benin West Africa.We have in my Ministry (The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services).the total sum of US$17,500,000.00 ( Seventeen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) which we made over time from an over inflated contracts already executed.We are seeking your assistance and permission to remit this sum into your account or any other nominated account you can provide to us.This transaction is 100% risk free and profit oriented and i have choosen to solicit your noble assistance to recieve this funds on our behalf.I shall in return inform you of the modalities for a formal application to secure the necessary approvals for the immediate release of this contract sum into your account and subsequent disburesment and sharing ratio,as soon as you acknowledge willingness to assist on this transaction.Thanks in anticipation of your favourable response.Yours sincerely,Dr Nasir Abdullaziz.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam