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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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: "fsarahjohnson34 Gazeta.pl" <fsarahjohnson34@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: fsarahjohnson@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 01:53:56 +0000
Subject: From Frank & Sarah Johnson


C/O: Refugee camp-Abidjan
Republic Of Cote D'Ivoire

Dearest One,

Complement of the season.I am sorry if this mail will come to you as an
embarrassment or a surprise, I just felt like empting myself to you,to
confide in you, as we faced with total frustration and hardship. My Ernest
prayer is that you find this mail in good health and blessings. My name is
Frank and my younger sister Name Sarah Johnson, I am the first
Son of (Late Chief Adam Johnson) Who lost his life in the course of the
crisis here in Cote D'ivoire on the 7th of November last year on his way to
his office.My late father was a cocoa machant.My father willed in cash, the
sum of $6.2 Million US Dollars which he deposited in a Fixed/Suspence
account here in Abidjan Cote D ivoire in west Africa, with enabling
conditions or the release of the fund which are as follows:

(1) That I must be 23 years or above.
(2) That upon request for the release of the fund, there must be evidence
of investment intentions especially outside the west africa,I contact you
therefore to confirm if you can absorb me and my junior Sister Sarah in
partnership in your company or possibly assist us on any investment
opportunity in your country.When we reach agreement with you, the bank will
release our fund into an account that you shall nominate and you will
arrange for us come over to your country to commence business partnership
with you and the fund and as well complete our education.All that we want is
your sincere and genuine help in helping us to see that this fund is
transfered to your account in your country where you
will also help us invest this fund in a very good business as soon as its
been transfered to your account.We cannot allow the money remain
here,why,because of the war here which possess a great risk to as our life
and future solely lies on it. If you have heard from the news for the past
few months now there has been intense fighting and bombing by the troops
which we will like to live here as soon as we have this money transfered out
of this country.We expect your urgent response including your addresses,
your mobile telephone and fax number.I wait to hear from you,thanks for
expected co-operation.
Our regards,
Frank & Sarah Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam