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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.

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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Jeff Akah" <jeff.akah248@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 11:51:44 +0100
Subject: Read??


From. Jeff Akah

Greeting,

I am Jeff Akah from Ivory Coast . I am an orphan being that I lost my
beloved parents a couple of months ago. My father was a serving director of
the Cocoa exporting board until his death .He was assassinated by the rebels
following the political uprising.

Before his death he deposited the sum of US$20.4 (Twenty million four
hundred thousand united states dollars with a security company here which
was for the importation of cocoa processing machine. Note, according to my
late father the money is still with the Security Company.

I want you to do me a favour, to help me invest this money in your country
for our joint business investment which you will be controlling as I do not
have any knowledge of investment, that will be after you have withdrawal the
money from the security company.

This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist
me, indicate your interest in replying Soonest, so that I will furnish you
with details. Looking forward to see your reply very soon and let me have
your contact address and telephone number to call you, so that we will
discuss on your percentage in this transaction.

Thanks and best regards.
Jeff Akah.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam