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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:

• 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:
  • "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. )
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand us 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 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.
  • jamessobis@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3ajamessobis@hotmail.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "James Obi" <james7obiss1m@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:18:54 +0100
Subject: Goodday My Friend ,Treat As Urgen Please


Goodday
Dear l am Mr. James Obi, Civil Servant in the Ministry of Health in Nigeria.
l know this proposal will come to you as a surprise because we have not met
before either physically or through correspondence. I got your contact from
the chamber of commerce in Nigeria, and have no doubt in your ability to
handle this proposal involving huge sum of money.
My father Chief Isama Obi(Now Late) was the Royal Head of my community,
ELEME (an oil rich town) in Nigeria. My community produces 5.8% of the total
crude oil production in Nigeria and 0.5% of the Dollar value of each barrel
is paid to my father as royalty by the Federal Government. My father was
also the Chairman of ISAMA Special Oil Trust Fund. In his position as the
Royal head and Chairman of the Oil Trust Fund, he made some money which he
left for me as the only heir to inherit. The money is EIGHTEEN Million, Five
Hundred Thousand US Dollars(US$18.5 This Money originated from the
accumulated royalties between 1976-2006 . Due to poor banking system in
Nigeria and political instability as a result of past Military rules
(1985-1999) , he deposited this Money in a Strong Room/"VAULTS" with an open
beneficiary in a security company pending when he would finish arrangement
to transfer it abroad . He was planning this when he died late last year of
Heart Attack. Just before my father died he called my attention to the
money and charged me to look for a foreigner who would assist me in the
transfer/investment of the funds abroad. So l would be very grateful if you
could accept to help me achieve this great objective.I promise to give you
30% of the total funds transferred to your vital bank account as
compensation for your assistance. ten percent (10%)has been set aside to
take care of all expenses we may incure
during the transaction. To indicate your interest,contact me urgently
Through my private
email:jamessobis@hotmail.fr<email%3Ajamessobis@hotmail.fr>,and
confidentially for more information and the roles you will play in this
business. All the legal Documents concerning this Money will be sent to you
as soon as we agreed together. Please I will appreciate that you send your
telephone/fax numbers to enable me contact you immediately. May the almighty
God bless you.
Yours faithfully,
MR James Obi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam