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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "bello victor" <todeput@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:33:37 +0000
Subject: Very Urgent.


From Victor Benard
Auditting Department Unit,
UTB - Togo
20, Rue Du Commerce,
B.P.3302 Lome Togo

With Due Respect,

I crave your indulgence as i contact you in such a surprising manner,but i
respectfully insist you read this email carefully as i am optimistic it will
open doors for unimaginable financier reward for both of us .I beg of you
to treat this information with utmost confidentiality.

I have a proposal for you - this however is not mandatory nor will I in any
manner compel you to honour against your will. I am 50, and work with a
bank (one of the African leading banks in the West Coast). Here in this
bank existed a dormant account for the past years which belong to a
American national who is now Late Mr.Richard Burson who died on Egypt Air
Flight 990 as you can comfirm from this web page:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm

When I discovered that there had been no deposits nor withdrawals from this
account for this long period, I decided to carry out a system investigation
and discovered that non of the family member nor relations of the late
person is aware of this account. This is the story in a nutshell.

Now I want an account overseas where the bank will transfer this
funds.Thereafter, I had planned to destroy all related documents for this
account. It is a careful network and for the past eleven months I have
worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation.

The amount at the moment and plus all the accumulated interest the balance
in this account stands at-(US$ 9.2 Million US Dollars).Nine Million Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars. Please Kindly forward to me the following
information for easier
communication on this regards .

Now my questions are:-
1. Can you handle this project?
2. Can I give you this trust?
3. Your private telephone:....
4. Your Fax-(if available):....
5. Your address/country etc:....
6. Your Age:.....
7. Profesion:....
8. Your full name:....
9. Your private email address:......

Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Finally, it is my
humble prayer that the information as contained herein be accorded the
necessary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves. Upon
receipt of your positive response, I will connect you to the holding bank
for the transfer.If you have interest to assist me in transferring this
fund to you.

NOTE: Keep this very confidential and top secret. Trusting to hear from you
shortly.

Best regards,
Mr Victor Benard
(UTB)Togo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam