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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "trunk boxes" (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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Debo Villam" <denville8@unimail.mn>
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:11:50 +0000
Subject: From.Mrs Debo Villam.


*From.Mrs Debo Villam.
In Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire.
In West Africa. *

*Dear, with due respect and humility I write you this letter which I believe
would be of great interest to you. I am Mrs.Debo Villam, the wife of the
late Dr.Frederick Villam, of the blessed memory, prior to my husband
assassination with 23 other serving officers by the rebel forces loyal to
Major John Paul Koromah he was the director General National gold and
diamond mining corporation of Sierra- Leone. *

*Before my husband was assassinated, he instructed me and my children
(Martin and Ernest) to move out of Sierra Leone immediately, before the
powerful Economic Community of West African States (ECOMOG) forces
intervened which eventually resulted into a brutal civil war.I with my
children managed to escape to Abidjan, the Republic of Ivory- Coast through
the help of my husband's friend. *

*We came into Abidjan with some thing valuables including cash with sum of
$8.5M (Eight million five hundred thousand United States Dollars) in two
Trunk boxes and two hundred and fifty kilograms of alluvial gold( 250kgs) of
23.5 carats and 99.95% purity at four thousand five hundred dollars
(4,500USD) per kilogram. And some quantities of diamonds in various colours.
At reasonable prices. Which I deposited with security company here in
Abidjan with my first son name (Martin Villam) for your information we did
not disclosed the real contents of the boxes to the security company and we
do not wish them to know this and to avoid raising eyebrows on us as
refugees and in order not to sale out names to the public, This money is for
family. *

*I want you to assist us with mutual trust and perpetual relationship
because our future depends on this. Under any circumstances rather, we
deposited the boxes as containing family valuables. Meanwhile, I want to
leave Ivory Coast entirely with this money for investment in your country
because of the stable political situation and mostly for the betterment of
my children. I therefore require you to please assist me in the following
areas; hence my children are still under age. *

*1) Changing the ownership of the money in your name as the sole
beneficiary, to enable us to transfer the money into your country. *

*2) You are also required to negotiate for the best project where this money
could be invested.*

*3) Above every other thing you shall keep the confidentiality of this
transaction. We have it in mind to reward you handsomely for your
assistance. We are prepared to give you 15% of the total sum, while 5% will
cover any expenses made. Also you shall have 5% of the total profit of the
investment because you are to manage it for my children. Do not hesitate to
contact me immediately you receive this letter to enable us proceed in
earnest towards concluding this transfer. *

*For easier, communication please kindly get back to me as soon as you
receive this mail, so that I can send you the backup document for the
consignment, such as agreement bond, certificate of deposit and receipt for
the certificate of deposit receipt for the consignment immediately. Thanks
and be blessed. *

*NB: Please help me to negotiate for the real price of these items (gold and
diamond) *

*I wait for your urgent response
Yours sincerely,
Mrs.Debo and Son. *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam