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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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 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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From:
Date:
Subject: INVESTMENT


Dear Sir,
 

Based on the fact that I am very interested to invest and enter into a business relationship with you, I hereby wish to acquaint you with a proposal that will be of benefit to both of us. My father was the former chairman of Sierra Leone Diamond Corporation, Late Dr. Johnson Coleman. Due to political instability and war in my country which claimed the live of my father, I am now residing in Abidjan , C'Ivoire on political asylum. I have an inheritance as contained in my father's WILL. This inheritance amounts to the sum of 27 Million United States Dollars. This has been with a Trust Company here in Abidjan , Cote d'Ivoire for the past few years. I was able to identify myself to the said Trust Company and all rights and privileges issued to me. As a result of African economic and political instability, I am prompted to look for credible, reliable and trust worthy person or company whom to transfer his inheritance to which is in form of cash deposited in this Trust Company as 'Precious Family Treasure' for the sole purpose of INVESTMENT/MANAGEMENT. I have chosen and very much interested in putting this sum into your company for investment as I have trust in your company in particular. Meanwhile, all relevant documents pertaining to this 'Precious Family Treasure' are with me and will be issued to you at your request. Kindly send to me mail accepting to invest and manage this money for me and other details will follow. Expecting to hear from you soonest.

Richard Coleman

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam