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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (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.
  • +2348060568315 (Nigeria, 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.
  • kingsized@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: bruce smith <xcifix.6@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <bruce1970@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:18:40 -0600
Subject: Director, International Remittance Operations,




Director, International Remittance Operations,
Union Bank Plc. Marina,
Lagos.
Re: forgotten diamonds :
Sir/Madam,
I am contacting you based on your personality about a classified business transaction which I want us to discuss. It involves the death and deposited Diamond stones of an American businessman valued at $5 million dollars. I am sorry if I disturbed your attention; please kindly accept my apologies as your understanding and interest will be highly appreciated.

I am aware of the consequences of this proposal. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to what the consequences might be, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, then, let’s discuss.

My proposal; I am seeking your permission to recommend you as the closest surviving relative of Mr. Thomas stone who died of leukemia; {cancer of the bone} in 2002. More so, I am prepared to share 70/30% after the transaction. For confidentiality, please respond via my private contacts as seen below:
Tel: +234-806-0568315
Email: kingsized@myway.com

I will make available for detailed discussion the proofs and all the documents concerning this transaction. While I await your reply, thank you for your anticipated co-operation in advance and best regards to you and your family.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Anthony Bruce smith
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam