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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:
  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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • ",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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27736285248 (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.
  • shakarobert@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Shaka Robert" <shakarobert06@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:23:56 -0700
Subject: RE: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL


From: Mr. Shaka Robert

Republic of South Africa

Tel: + 27 736 285 248

Email address:

shakarobert@gmail.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Shaka Robert, the first son of the late Stephen Shaka. My father
Stephen Shaka was a great farmer in Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise for you
to receive this letter from me and most especially where I got your contact
information from. I got it from Global Trade Agency under the South African
Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pretoria.

During the current crisis against the farmers in Zimbabwe by the supporters
of President Robert Mugabe to claim all white owned farms in the country, he
ordered all white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and
his supporters, my father was the only black farmer that opposed the
president's actions towards the white farmers. My father was at the same
time killed on the process of fighting back the invaders.

After two months I lost my mother to a heart attack and the president gave
orders to confiscate all our properties including the farmland. After the
incident, my younger brother and I decided to move out of Zimbabwe to South
Africa for the safety of our lives.But prior to his death my late father
told me on his bedside about a financial institution in South Africa where
he made a fund deposit. He also gave to me all the relevant depository
documents and advised me to seek a foreigner partner that will assist me
transfer the fund out of Africa for investment purpose.

The total amount is Seven Million United States of American Dollars
(US$7,000,000.00). Due to our present status in South Africa and the nature
by which we entered the country we do not have the right to operate or
maintain a foreign dominated account as refugees.

It is against this backdrop that I solicit for your help in transferring
this money out of SOUTH AFRICA. If you agree to help me I would give you 30%
of the whole money for your assistance and cooperation, 5% would be set
aside for any expense incurred during the process of this transaction.

Please I need your advice as an elderly person. Feel free to contact me with
the above telephone number and Email address in order to effect the
immediate transfer of this fund to you as arranged, I would be glad if you
give me your private telephone and fax number for easy and effective
communication and also the location where the money will be remitted.

This transaction is 100% risk free and I look forward to your prompt
positive response.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Shaka Robert.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam