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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:
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  • +23417235786 (Nigeria, landline)

Fraud email example:

From: Dona EDward <dona349_edwad@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <d_edward06@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:23:07 +0100
Subject: Your Mail



Attn: Beloved Sir, I am sorry if this may come to you as a surprise. I am Mr. Dona Edward, The Chairman Contract Award Committee Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), my office is responsible for contract award, screening, categorization and prioritization of projects embarked upon by Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as well as feasibility studies for selected projects and supervising the project consultants involved. The DPR is now compiling beneficiaries to be paid for this quarter of the year. I have been assigned by my colleagues with the finance/contract department of the DPR over the deliberately of over-invoiced various contracts awarded. In the course of disbursements, this department has been able to accumulate the sum of $15,550,800.00 (Fifteen Million Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Eight Hundred U.S Dollars) as the over-invoiced sum. This money is currently in a suspense account of the DPR with the Debt Reconciliation Committee (DRC). I now seek to process the transfer of this fund officially as contract payment to you as a foreign contractor, whom l will be fronting as the beneficiary of this fund. However, for your involvement in assisting me with this transfer into your nominated account I have evolved a sharing formula as follows: (1) 30% for you as the foreign partner (2) 65% for my colleagues and me.(3) 5% for any expenses that will occur during the transaction. Upon your response I shall provide you with further information on the procedures of claiming this fund into your account. All the original documents for the smooth transfer of this fund are in intact and will be forwarded to you as soon as you indicate your interest to me. This must be based on trust, mutuality, confidentiality, sincerity, commitment and dedication. I wait your prompt response as I look forward to a good business relationship with you. Sincerely, Mr. Dona EdwardDirect Tel: 234-1-7235786
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam