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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • +27732855305 (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.
  • george_oliphant1@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: George Oliphant <george_oliphant23@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:41:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: JOINT PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT FUND TRANSFER



DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY

Mr. George Oliphant.
Johannesburg, South-Africa.
Direct-Line: +27-73-285-5305.
Reply to Email:george_oliphant1@yahoo.com

JOINT PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT FUND TRANSFER

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mr. George Oliphant, Director of Project Implementation South Africa Department of Minerals & Energy. First and foremost, I apologize using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude, but this is due to confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium. Be informed that I obtained your enviable credentials/particulars from the South African Export Promotion Council.

I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties. Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Project Implementation and with the co-operation of three other top officials, we have in our possession as overdue payment bills totaling Eighteen Million Five Hundred United States Dollars (US$18,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and Co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said fund on our behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such funds.

More so, we are handicapped in the circumstances, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction. This amount (US$18.5M) represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately.
Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original contractor. I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of the sum will be 40% of the US$18.5 Million, 60% for me and my partners.

The business itself is 100% percent risk-free and safe, on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Also your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me. Endeavour to contact me immediately through my above confidential direct phone line and private email.

I want to assure you that myself and my partners are in a position to make the payment of this claim possible provided you can give us a very strong assurance and guarantee that our share will be secured, and please remember to treat this matter as very confidential matter, because we will not comprehend with any form of exposure as we are still in active government service and remember once again that time is of great essence in this business.

Your soonest phone call with email reply will be highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. George Oliphant.
+27-73-285-5305.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam