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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "john_githongo2008@live.com" <drjongithongo@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: john_githongo2008@live.com
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 11:28:09 +0100
Subject: ATTN: INVESTMENT PARTNER


ATTN: INVESTMENT PARTNER

I solicit your understanding and co-operationn to invest in such profitable
business ventures as Manufacturing, ICT, Shipping, Shopping Mall, or Real
Estate in your country. You can as well suggest other viable businesses
worth undertaking since you know better the investment climate in your
country for my consideration.

I am sorry if this is not in line with your business. I need an experienced
person like you to assist me to set up and develop the projects. Then
assume responsibility of Active Partner. We have to agree on mode of
profit/loss sharing, though this shall be taken care of by the partnership
DEED that will ensue later.

As a way of introduction John Githongo citizen of Kenya and Special Duty
Assistant to the president of Kenya - Mwai Kibak. At the wake of the last
cataclysm that enveloped his alleged re-election in which thousands of
people were killed by soldiers loyal to the President, which was snowballing
into full scale war, he secretly sent me to Russia to buy war ammunition in
readiness for any eventuality with the sum of $20,500,000.00 (Twenty
Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars). This amount you may want to
know, was the proceeds from the sale and export of Diamond.

In order to have easy passage, this amount was packaged in two DIPLOMATIC
CRATES with immunity against custom checks. But soon after setting off, I
had to change my mind quickly since I did not like the action of the
President against his own people and more over he rigged the election at the
expense of the opposition which he now wanted to annihilate. Consequently, I
diverted and stopped in Britain. Owing to my sympathy to our people I
resolved and quietly lodged the money into the vault of a finance house in
Britain using the reserve fund he gave me to pay for the deposit charges,
with a little balance to move out of Britain, and deffected to another
Afican country where it will be easier for me to obtain political asylum for
my safety for now.

Since I had already planned my action, I asked my family to elope to a
nearby country temporarily until I am able to secure relocation to your
country and ask them to come over. Therefore, I cut off communication with
my former boss soon after sailing off, and kept him totally blind about my
way-about to avoid any iota of trace which has succeeded.

However, due to my international status, I was not able to use my name as
the beneficiary to this consignment. So, I agreed with the finance house
that this fund should be released to my appointed RECEIVER AND PARTNER who
will have to present to them evidence of deposit which was issued to me
which I will now send to you for presentation to the finance house.

You have to tell me how much percentage of the total amount you can accept
for your invaluable assistance. Above all, you have to be honest and
truthful to me. This is absolutely necessary since we have never met, though
we shall definitely meet when you confirm receipt of the fund from the
finance house. Furthermore, for all the many years of service I put in,
this money is the only thing I have to show for it, and so its safety
ensures my existence and that of my family, otherwise, we are finished hence
the need for you to BE TRUSTWORTHY.

You should not entertain any fear as everything has been arranged and
loopholes covered to avoid any trace.

I shall be highly relieved to receive your positive and immediate reply with
your contact phone number to facilitate communication given the importance
of this business me.

Your sincerely,
John Githongo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam