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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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 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: "mata charles" <mata00charles@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: mata9charles@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 01:26:18 +0100
Subject: BONJOUR


Dear Sir,

Goodday It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I
intend to establish in your country, under your supervision if it pleases
you, though I have not met with you before but considering the recent
political instabilities in my country , I believe one has to risk confiding
situations under the hand of people that ought to help them, knowing that it
will surprise you that I contacted you through this means but i am
desperate in need and my present condition now is frustrating, that was
why i use this medium to fasting up my request,my father who died as a
result of his refusal to sponsor or take sides withthe warring parties in my
country. on the heat of the crises my father made arrengement for me to take
refuge in Abidjan Cote`d Ivoire ,he choose to stay behind due to his belief
and it cost him his life Ever since i left my country`s capital life has
not been the same.

but presently I am in a mess,for the past months now.but my father revealed
to me that 11.5 Million dollars was deposited in a bank on my behalf.incase
of anything happen to him,but after his dead I have gone to the bank to
claim the money but was told by the bank manager that though the money
belongs to me only my father`s foreign partner who my father entrusted with
the power to oversee my welfare and invest on my behalf can have appropiate
access untill i have good business knowledge. Please,i want you to be my
father`s recommended foreign partner as to enable me transfer this money to
you country,your helping me will solve my surffrings,indicating that you
are authorize by me, to call as the foreign business
Associate/co-beneficiary of my late father to make inquires on how the money
could be transferred to your designated account. I thank you immensely for
your co-operation and understanding and my greetings to your family.

Best Regard,
Charles mata

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam