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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • gzalani_isa@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: =?big5?q?Isa=20Zalani?= <zalani_isa@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: zalani_isa@live.com
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:14:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Gzalani_isa@yahoo.com.hk



- Dear Sir/Madam,I am Mr. Mr.Isa Zailani, the Executive Director, Operations and Information Technology, of Afribank Nigeria Plc, a well-known bank in Nigeria.One of our accounts with a holding balance of $24.2 Million USD (United State Dollars) has been dormant and has not been operated for thepast six years. From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account,Engineer Matt Wigan a foreigner died in August 2000 in a auto accident and since then nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money because he has no family members who are aware of the existence the account nor the funds.This fund has been unccessfully withdrawn and claimed from the bank by myselfs and some of my coleagues.We have also shared the balance.I have also deposited my share totaling $5.2Million USD(United States Dollars)safely with a security and finance company in Europe.I am presently looking for a trustworthy person who can assist me in holding and investing this fund in Europe or Americauntil I leave the bank service. The sharing of the fund/business between us, is as follows; 30% of the total sum will go to you for your effort and commitment to the success of this transaction and investment 60% for me and 10% of the total sum will be mapped out to cover all expenses that may be incured in the process of transfering the funds. As soon as me and 10% of the total sum will be mapped out to cover all expenses that may be incured in the process of transfering the funds. As soon as I receive an acknowledge of the receipt of this message in Acceptance, I will immediately start up with the processing of the document of cliams.Best Regards Mr.Isa Zailani Executive Director Operations/Information Technology Afribank Nigeria Plc

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam