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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)
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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
• 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.
  • +27838956041 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +27866045275 (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.
  • james.williams3@jmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "james williams" <jameswilliams1@UnionPlus.net>
Reply-To: james.williams3@jmail.co.za
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:11:28 +0200
Subject: Please Respond Back


Date: 26th October 2007
Mr. James Williams.
South Africa
Tel: +27 -83-895-6041

Fax: +27-86-604-5275

Good day,

I write, asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to tune of Ten
Million, Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$10.2m) which we want
kept safely overseas under your supervision.

In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf.
The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm by
my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the
original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said
amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.

Kindly pardon the use of a medium as informal as this for reaching out to
you to make a request of great importance to us.

Currently, I work as a Projects Manager at the Department of Minerals &
Energy here in Pretoria. I have the authority and approval of my Partners
involved in this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your
participation and I propose 25% percent, while we also propose that we
receive 70 percent and 5% percent be earmarked for purposes of taxation.

This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it
with the utmost discretion. You are advised to reach me through my Direct
telephone number +27-83-895-6041 or Direct Fax number: +27-86-604-5275,
alternatively via my Private email address: (james.williams3@jmail.co.za)
for further clarifications.

I am available via telephone or email to discuss further with you.


I kindly wait to hear from you.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. James Williams
Tel: +27 83 895 6041

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam