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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "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)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • michael_smith0012@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "michael smith" <mchlsmth87@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:47:52 +0200
Subject: HUMBLE ASSISTENCE


Dear friend,

I hope this email letter meets you in good time, It will be surprising to
you to receive this proposal from me since you do not know me personally.

However, I am sincerely seeking your assistance in this transaction,which I
propose with a free mind and as a person of integrity. I am Mr.Jeffery
Sitholi, a native of Kwazulu-Natal in the Republic of South Africa, and
presently one the Directors with the department of Minerals and Energy
(contract award committee).
I only got your contact details from the South Africa Exchange
Information On-line Service on my personal Programmed search on the
internet for a reputable company or individual to assist me sincerely with
a high level of discreetness.

1. PURPOSE: I am humbly seeking for your assistance in the transfer of
$28.5Million (Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to your
foreign account for the purpose of Investment with benefits.

2. SOURCE OF FUNDS: This amount to be transferred to your account came from
an over-invoiced contract for the refurbishment of Mines and Supplies in
Krugger Gold Mine sector in the year 2005 by the Expatriate Company of Late
Mr. Smith .B. Andreas (DECEASED). The contract which was originally valued
for Fifty Million United States Dollars was made to read as Seventy Eight
Million ,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$78.5M). The Extra
/Surplus / Over-invoiced amount of Twenty Eight Million Five Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars (US$28,500, 000.00) is what I want to
transfer into your account.

This contract has since been executed in year 2005 and the contractors have
been paid all their contract bills remaining the over-invoice amount of
Twenty Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$28.5m)
which I want to transfer.

3. REQUIREMENTS: What I expect from you in your reply are the following so
that we can proceed:
(i) Your direct telephone and fax number.
(ii). Your personal company / Work profile

4. DISBURSEMENT: I have resolved that you take 30% of the total amount for
your assistance and the balance 70% would be left for me to invest
overseas.

5. SECURITY: All modalities for the transfer of these funds have been put
in place and I have to use this opportunity to assure you that the transfer
process is a 100% risk free and as such you should open up your mind and
work with me.

6. FINALLY: The other point to note is that the nature of your work or
business does not or will not affect or hinder the outcome of this
transaction.

Please reply to my personal email account
(michael_smith0012@yahoo.com) if you are interested.

Thanks,
Mr.Michael Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam