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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
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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)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: claudia mafikeng <mafikengsneedhelp37@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <cl_mfikeng7@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:06:09 +0000
Subject: REGARDS


Dear Friend, My name is Claudia Mafikeng the eldest daughter of Mr.John Mafikeng of Zimbabwe.It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address but I got your contact address from the Johannesburg Chambers of Trade and Commerce. During the current crises against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim the farms in our country, he ordered all the farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers.My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the Presidents political ideology, the Presidents supporters invaded my fathers farm burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments. After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger brother decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along with us the money my father kept in the safe in my mothers house,which amounted to the sum of US$16.7Million (sixteen Million,Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars) to the Republic of South Africa.where we now seek political asylum. the money has been tranfered to a financial house overseas . My Mother and I have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm or individual or christian organisation who could assist us to claim this money out from the financial house because we as asylum seeker here in South Africa we are not allowed certain financial rights like operating a bank account.We need you to open a non-resident account through which this fund will be channeled out to your nominated overseas account. If my preposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you USD 3million dollars of the total fund, while me and my family will like to invest in your country under your guidance and assistance. This transaction is 100% risk free.Your urgent response back to me will be highly appreciated. anxiously waiting for your reply. thank you. iafrica.com/news/specialreport/zimbabwe/226559.htm http://www.guardian.co.uk/weblog/special/0,10627,536901,00.html Best regards,Claudia Mafikeng.For the family.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam