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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +27731370056 (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.
  • philip.zuma@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "zuma philip" <zuma.philip13@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 18:02:04 +0200
Subject: Hello


*MR. PHILLIP ZUMA*



*STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA, *



*9TH FLOOR, *



*HEERENGRACHT** TOWER**, *



*STANDARD** BANK CENTER**, *



*CAPE TOWN**, SOUTH *



*AFRICA**. *



*Tel: +27-731370056*



E-MAIL: Philip.zuma@hotmail.com





*Attn: Sir/Madam.*



I am *MR. PHILLIP ZUMA* Director Standard Bank of South Africa, Johannesburg
Branch. I have urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On
June 6, 1999, a foreign Oil consultant/contractor with the South Africa
Mining Corporation, Mr. Richard Moses made a numbered time (Fixed)Deposit
for twelve calendar months, valued at *US$20,000,000.00* *(Twenty
Million United States Dollars)* in my branch.



Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from his contract employers, the South Africa Mining Corporation that *Mr.
Richard Moses* died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I
found out that he died without making a WILL and all attempts to trace his
next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and
discovered that Mr. Richard Moses did not declare any kin or relations in
all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.
This sum of *US$20,000,000.00* *(Twenty Million United States Dollars)* is
still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the
principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to
claim it. According to South Africa Law, at the expiration of 5 (five)
years, the money will revert to the ownership of the South Africa Government
if nobody applies to claim the fund.



Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to Mr. Richard Moses so that the fruits of this old man's
labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials. This
is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and
address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and
affidavits which will put you in place as the next of kin.



We shall employ the service of Attorney for drafting and notarization of the
WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer. A bank account in any
part of the world which you will provide will then facilitate the transfer
of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid
into your account for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for
you.



There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the Attorney and my position as the Provincial Director guarantees
the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please
reply immediately via the private email address below. Upon your response, I
shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will
help you understand the transaction. Please observe utmost confidentiality,
and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of
us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your
country.







Awaiting your urgent reply via my email or my alternative email address:
Philip.zuma@hotmail.com







Thanks and regards.







*MR. PHILLIP ZUMA*



*PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR*



*STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA, *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam