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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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "stay blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +27733668155 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +27866049404 (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.
  • barristertcwilliams@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Eanest roland <e_roland27@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barristertcwilliams@myway.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 10:46:05 +0200
Subject: From Mr. Earnest Roland.



Good day,
My Physical Condition.

My name is Mr. Earnest Roland, Botswana national and an Oil Merchant and I got your contact and information about you from the internet where I was searching for some one I could trust.

I have been diagnosed With Esophageal cancer. It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right Now I have only about a few weeks to live, according to medical Experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am Very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for.

Nevertheless, I regret all this, as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the Money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it.

Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well As a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul, so I have decided to give alms to charity Organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth.

So far, I have distributed money to some charity Organizations in the U.A.E, Somalia and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore; I cannot even stand up my feet.

I once asked Members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the Money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused, kept the money to them self and till date, I have not seen any of them. May be they must think, am dead and there is no money left. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of USD$12,000,000.00 that I have with a bank in Johannesburg South Africa. I will want you to help me collect this fund and dispatch it charity organizations.

N/B: KINDLY NOTE THAT 40% of these funds must go to the TSUNAMI VICTIMS; also 40% should go to the HURRICANE VICTIMS in the United State of America and 20% should you for your effort and time. I am entrusting the money into your hands, please help me do what it is meant for. Please, do not be greedy about these funds.

All I need from you is to urgently contact my attorney on the information below providing him with full information about your self as stated below to enable him forward it to the Bank and prepare all legal documentations that will back up the claims to avoid the funds been stop after transfer to you. He is aware about you and expecting to hear from you so that he can make the necessary papers for you as beneficiary of the funds and also my next of kin which I have already signed to it effect. Below is my attorney's contact information:

Name: Barrister T C Williams
Phone Number: +27-73-366-8155
Fax Number : +27-86-604-9404
Email: barristertcwilliams@myway.com

Please do provide him with the following information about your self: -

Full names:………………………………….
Tel/Cell/Fax:………………………………..
Mailing address:…………………………….
Occupation:………………………………….
Age:………………………………………….
Marital Status:……………………………….

I might not be able to write you any more because of my condition deteriorating. Please use the funds deliciously as I have directed you because God is watching all. My attorney will send you a copy of the deposit certificate in which I deposited the funds with the bank.

Thanks and stay blessed,

Regards,

Mr. Earnest Roland.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam