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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "tarfa williams" <tarfaw0010@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tarfawilliams2001@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:38:08 -0700
Subject: Prince Tarfa Williams......My effort to contact you (reply)


Our greetings to you,

I am Tarfa Williams from Seirra Leone and residing presently in Europe
withmy Mother (A Widow). We are staying at a REFUGEE CAMP waiting foran
answer to our application for political Assylum, due to the CIVIL WAR in my
country in which I lost my father Alhaji Hammed Williams and my sister, the
WILL have been ready prompted me to contact you.

I need a trustworthy and honest individual who would be ready to help my
family invest our fund wisely and profitably, our inheritance is value at
$100,000,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) from my late
father. This fund has been secured with a PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY in
Europe.

To claim this fund from this security firm I have the necessary documents
including the certificate of deposit and the original copies of bank
statement from my late father's lawyer. In the desire to invest this fund we
will appreciate a stable company with growth potentials. We wish to invest
this fund in your company or any other company or profit oriented
venture under your advise and supervision.

You are the hope of this family as there is nothing we can do, due to our
status here. You will of course be adequately compensated with 30% for
youreffort,which we will discuss as soon as you accept to help us in this
regard. I will be willing to answer any question about my family as soon as
we receive an acceptance mail from you.

You should also send your company's flyers or profile including some hint
about investment in your country. Hoping to hear from you soon while
thanking you in anticipation.

Best regards,
Prince Tarfa Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam