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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:
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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Zebo Frank" <frankzebo20@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: frankzebo@voila.fr
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:15:11 +0000
Subject: I need your urgent assistance please.


*FROM MR.FRANK ZEBO*

*AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT. **
**BANK OF AFRICA. **
**OUAGADOUGOU BURKINA-FASO **
**DIRECT TEL. 00 226 78 78 87 16. *

* (TOP SECRET) *

*I am Mr.Frank Zebo, the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Bank of Africa Ouagadougou Burkina-faso in West Africa with due
respect and regard. **I have decided to contact you on a business
transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the
transaction. *

* *

*During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
31st July 2000 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his account
with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his
family or relation before our discovery to this development. *

*Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and
partners to enable the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful
during the time of execution. The said amount was U.S $7.2M (seven million
two hundred United States dollars). As it may interest you to know, I got
your impressive information through the Bukinab chamber of commerce on
foreign business relations here in Ouaga. Burkina-Faso. *

* *

*Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicated your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.*

* *

*In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in
this country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a
foreign account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the
time of transfer because I work in this bank. **This is the actual reason
why it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the
next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to the Bank and also present a
foreign account where he will need the money to be re-transferred into on
his request as it may be after due verification and clarification by the
correspondent branch of the bank where the whole money will be remitted from
to your own designation bank account. *

* *

*I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 40% of the
total sum as gratification,, while 60% will be for me. Please, you have been
adviced to keep "top secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire
from service after we conclude this deal with you. *

* *

*I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you
confirm the money in your account and ask me to come down to your country
for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously
indicated and further investment, either in your country or any country you
advice us to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be send
to you when I hear from you. *

* *

*I need to know this infor.**
**1.Full name**
**2.Your age**
**3.Occupation**
**4.Marital Status **
**5.Present city of residence.**
**6.Country**
**7.Telephone*

*Yours faithfully, **
**Mr.Frank Zebo. *

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam