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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:
  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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a orphan scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27732003482 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • martin_vusi@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Martin Vusi" <mrmartinvusi60@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:46:15 -0700
Subject: Family Fund Transfer


*From: Martin Vusi*
*Johannesburg,*
*South Africa
*
*phone:+27-73-200-3482*
*Email: martin_vusi@yahoo.com<http://us.mc450.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=martin_vusi@yahoo.com>
*
**
*Attn: President/Ceo*
**
*You may be surprise to receive this letter since you do not know me
personally. I got your contact through Johannesburg Chamber of commerce. I
am Mr. Martin Vusi the son of Late Dr.Mbutu Vusi who was murdered in the
land dispute in Zimbabwe. My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean
rich farmers who were murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling
Government of President Robert Mugabe for allegedly supporting the party
controlled by the white minority.*
**
*Before his death he had taken to Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa the
sum of US$15.million(fifteen million united states dollars} and deposited
it with a security and finance company as if he foresaw the looming danger
in Zimbabwe. This money is contained in a metallic trunk box and he
registered it as family treasures and valuables for security reasons. The
fund was meant for the purchase of new agricultural machines and chemicals
for farmers in Lesotho and Swaziland.*
**
*This land dispute sparked off when president Robert Mugabe introduced a new
act that wholly affected the whites and some few blacks that vehemently
condemned the modus operand adopted by the government. This resulted to
rampage and mob action by the war veterans and some political thugs in which
more than fifty-one {51} people were killed including my father. May his
soul rest in perfect peace. Heads of governments from the west especially
Britain and America have voiced their condemnation against Mugabe's plan.*
**
*As the eldest son of my father, I am saddled with the responsibility of
seeking a genuine partner and account where this money will be transferred
without exposing the whole situation. I am faced with the dilemma of
investing this money in South Africa for fear of encountering the same
experience in future since both countries have almost the same political
history. Moreso, South African monetary laws does not allow refugees/asylum
seekers to engage in any business activities neither are they allowed to
open a bank account. Therefore,I am seeking for your very good assistance to
transfer this money out of south Africa into your overseas chosen account.
For your efforts and assistance I have made up my mind to offer you 20% of
the total fund, and 5% will be for any unforeseen expenses that we might
encounter in the process of the transfer, while 75% will be for my
investments in your country under your guidance.*
**
*Please should this request meet your utmost consideration, kindly contact
me via my contact above. Feel free to ask any question you consider
necessary and in return try to include your private telephone and fax
numbers for easier communication. The confidentiality of this request cannot
be over emphasized as we trust and believe that you will oblige us in the
need for security and attention it demands. Please treat this transaction
with absolute confidentiality and urgency it deserves.*
**
*Thanks for your understanding.*
**
*Yours faithfully,*
*Martin Vusi*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam