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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • ",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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • devcatelplc@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "David Cole" <Davidcole05@hotmail.fr> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:10:12 +0000
Subject: Urgent Assistance For Partnership

FOR AN URGENT ASSISTANCE:
Dear Colleague
Compliments of the day and greetings from a dear Friend with good illusion , i am David Cole a top aide to former governor in one of the southern oil state in Nigeria west africa, your good dossier made me to contact you for this urgent mail,
Because of my strategic position in the former Government, and also being a close confidant to the governor I was able to acquire personally, the sum of $45,000,000.00USD (Forty five Million United States Dollars) presently lodged in a bank but now been professionally redeposited in a safe house.
I made this money largely through "CONSULTANCY FEE" and "Good Faith Fees" paid by foreign oil companies prior to Allocation of Deep Water Oil Blocks and other Lifting/prospecting Right. Nigeria is the 6th largest Producer/Exporter of Crude Petroleum in the World.As you are probably aware Nigeria is prone to Political/Economic Instability, hyper Inflation, and among other problems, I have therefore resolved to invest my money abroad, for safety and optimum returns on Investments.
However, straight transfer of this money into a bank abroad will present two major problems:
1. The tax incidence will be too high, as much as 60% of this money will go up in Taxes, Levies, Penalties etc.
2. As an Ex serviceman and a top aide to the governor the present democratic government is fighting very hard to freeze the accounts of the men that serve in the government of ( Former Head of State) Due to pressure from proponents and critics of the past government . some of my co leagues in the past government now in their retirement is finding it difficult after many years of service to watch their investment go down the drain because of the witch hunt have decided to look elsewhere for investment to safeguard their future,please kindly go through the links below as you will understand my reason.
1.<http://nigeriaworld.com/> First Week ,1october-7th october Edition. <http://www.thisdayonline.com/> Tuesday, October 9, 2007
So as a result of Government deliberate restrictions on flight of capital Abroad.
The solution left for me was to Courier this money in cash abroad, through Courier Service Company here in Nigeria in conjunction with an embassy here in Nigeria, the money was packed in a Diplomatic Bag or Carton tagged Diplomatic luggage and shiped to a safe house in dakar.
This system is secret were by the money will be untraceable.
It is the system used by most top Government officials in Nigeria to remove their fortunes to safety abroad.
I have therefore moved the said fund professionally through this means with a Courier Company in Nigeria using the courtesy and safety of Diplomatic Bag.
Now the reason for my contact is that such venture as this requires the partnership of a foreign partner overseas.
I have secured the deal intact only waiting to conclude my next desired destination.
All I now need is a honest partner who can receive the money on my behalf and help me to invest as aforementioned. There is absolutely no risk involved in this transaction as the money will be delivered to you safely.
i have been deliberating on how to use this fund abroad
in a confidential manner and in view of this therefore, i am soliciting your confidence, support and assistance as my partner to claim this fund for investment purpose ,i would be glad to have a quick reply from you.
Please send your contact names, telephone and fax number in your reply and i will
give you more details when i hear from you,please reply me with your details
If you are interested in assisting me.
For your help and assistance in this deal, you will receive 30% of this money in cash, 10% will be set aside to offset all expenses while the remaining 60% is for me.
Finally, you are to please urgently email your personal phone and fax numbers for an easy communication.
I arrive dakar three days ago and presently lodged in a guesthouse for the final conclusion of this transaction.
I make this contact to you without any measure of fear as to what the consequences might be but please i implore you to understand that i am a family man well respected and honored in the society do not betray my confidence if you find yourself intrested to work with me please contact me specifically through this email: devcatelplc@aim.com <mailto:devcatelplc@aim.com>
Best regards,
David Cole
SeaView Lodge
Dakar Senegal

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam