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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: mahama osei <oseimahama-6@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <osei_mahama@yahoo.com.br>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:30:56 -0600
Subject: Your Assistant Is Needed?



Dear Friend.



I am sending you this message from the western part of Africa, Ghana to be precise. I am the branch manager of a renowned Bank of my country which I chosen not to mention now for security reasons,

My name is Mr. Mahama Osei, I am a good Christian and a man of integrity I do not want any trouble and anything that would tarnish my image in my country, without your utmost skepticism I have in my position SIX MILLION FIVE HUNDRED ($6.500.000) USD that i wish to transfer into foreign account.

This money was generated through my Branch office which is in Ghana and to let you have believe in this, this money is meant for the Political Parties in Ghana that have gone to exceed to another foreign land, due to one problem or the other in my country.

The money has been meant for the campaigning of the coming Elections in Ghana in year 2008 after the African Nations Cap that we take place in Ghana, to all the different regions in Ghana, as a whole after Disbursement i discovered that the $6.500.000 was still remaining in my branch office till now that am sending you this message.

I’m unwilling to declare this amount to the Board of Directors in my Head Office nor the Government since nobody is aware of these funds but I have decided to transfer these funds to foreign country where we can both invest wisely and start a new life, Do you have an active current account to which these funds can be transferred into?.

Please note that there is practically no risk on your side, this transfer is subject to three working days, I’m willing to give you 30% for your troubles.

Kindly communicate your willingness to do this with me and I will forget I ever contacted you.

Thank you as I anticipate your swift response to this proposal.
Best regards,
Mr. Mahama Osei.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam