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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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:
  • "million united state 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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "calvary greetings" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348020303501 (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.
  • ola_wright03@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "SENIOR MANAGER" <senior_manager@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:50:26 +0100
Subject: THANK GOD I FOUND YOU.( LATE GEORGE CALLING)


Akinadesole Ademola Street,
Victoria Island Lagos.
Intercontinental Bnak Plc.
TEL 234-802-0303-501.
Email : ola_wright03@yahoo.it


Calvary Greetings,

Please can i have your attention for a moment? I hope this mail doesn't
come to you as an embarrassment as i receive unsolicited mails sometimes.
The truth about it is that many individuals have failed to understand the
use for which the Internet is set for us to benefit, and therefore some
abuse the privilege.

I am Mr.Ola Wright a Banker,and an account Officer to Late
Engr.Georgefrom your country,who used to work with Shell Oil and Gas
Development
Plc.On the 27th of February 2003 my client late Engr.George and his wife and
two children were involved in the Lagos Ikeja military cantonment Bomb Blast
which Engr.George was killed along with his family and his friend Colonel
Buba Maruwa the then Governor of Lagos State which they both lost their
lives.



PLEASE VIEW THESE WEBSITES BELOW TO CONFIRM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm

Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of
my clients extended relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful.Afterthese several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
track his Desendant on
the internet to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.


I have contacted you to assist in repatriating his account before they
get confiscated or declared as unserviceable by my Bank Intercontinental
Bank Plc. where i was his account officer.I need you to agree in assisting
me transfer it into your account before i can now give you a comprehensive
details of my bank and how i intend to move the funds into your account.

Here in Particular, the deceased had an account valued at about US$16.5
Million United State Dollars in my Bank.My Bank has issued me a notice to
provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the 6 weeks.


Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
because you have the same last name with the deceased, so that the proceeds
of his account valued at US$16.5 Million Dollars can be paid to you and then
i will resigne my appointment with the bank and come down to your country
for shearing,and also will like to invest my shear in a profitable
investment with your assistance .

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you and i from any breach of the
law.Pleaseget in touch with me immediately with the following
information stated
below, as we do not have much time to waste

1, Your Full Name and Address.
2. Your Date Of Birth.
3. Your Occupation.
4. Your Direct Telephone/Fax Number.

I await your soonest response to my private Email :-
ola_wright03@yahoo.it


Best Regards,
Mr.Ola Wright.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam