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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (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 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.
  • +2348035333631 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Alhaji Atiku Abubakar" <julietedward@prtcnet.com>
Reply-To: atiku_abubakar07@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:41:33 -0100
Subject: Investment Proposal(2008)

>From Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

Good Day,

I hope my email meets you well. I am in need of your
assistance. My name is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, I am former
vice president of federal repubilc of Nigeria ,I have about
$10.5 Million US dollars that I want to move out of the
country for an Investment purpose in your country .I need a
good partner someone I can trust. It is oil money and legal.
But the fund will be moving through diplomatic means, to
send it to your house directly or a bank of your choice
using diplomatic courier service. The most important thing
is that can I trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take
your 20% out as a receiver and keep our own 80% for the
Investment. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe
place where the funds can be sent to. My own part is sending
it to you. If you are interested i will furnish you with
more details. But the whole process is simple and we must
keep a low profile at all times.

This transaction is 100% risk free and smooth.
I look forward to your reply and co-operation, and I thank
you in advance as I anticipate your co-operation.

1. Your Full
Name..............................................
2.Nationality..........................................................
3. Your Age
...........................Sex...................
4.Marital
Status................................................
5.Your Occupation..............Position..........
.............
6.YourHomeAddress.......................OfficeAddress..................
7.YourTelephonenumber..................Fax Number...........
8.A Scan
Copy Of Your International Passport Or Driving
Licence....................

Waiting for your urgent response.

Regards,
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
Former Deputy President
Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
234-803-5333631

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam