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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "observe 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • mr_ahmedkabo@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: ahmedkabo_68@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 08:26:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: REPLY URGENT


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mr_ahmedkabo@yahoo.com



- Dear Trusting Friend,I am MR. Ahmed Kabo, an account manager in my Bank.I humbly plead your indulgence to assist us receive this money into your account.In June,1999,a foreign property consultant and oil merchant made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months,valued at US35,000,000.00(Thirty five Million United States Dollars only) in my bank.It was to our utter suprise that we head of his death,wife and children in an AF4590 plane crash in July 2000. website w:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm,On further investigation,I found out that he died without making a WILL,and hitherto, all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.Our late customer was residing at No 1 Rue de Avenida, G.R.A.Cotonou, Ghana Republic Republic.I therefore made further investigation and discovered that he did not declare any kin or relations in all his officialdocuments, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.This sum of US35,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year.No one have ever come forward to claim this fund. According to Laws of Ghana, at the expiration of 7 (seven) years, the account will be frozen and forfeited to the Ghana Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin or business partner to our late customer so that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address,phone and fax numbers so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin or business partner.I have two o f my colleagues who are top officials of the bank involved in this transaction.Your role in the transaction is to send an application for claim of the funds to our bank.Then, as top officials of the bank, we shall work behind-the-scene tomake sure that your application is approved by the management of the bank,and the funds transfered to your nominated bank account.Please note that there is no risks involve in this transaction.I assure you that all the paperwork for this transaction will be done legitimately and with our positions as top officials of the bank would ensure a successful execution of this transaction.If you are willing to assist, please reply immediately to my email box.Please send me your private telephone and fax numbers for easy communication.You should observe utmost CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY in this transaction,and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I will require your assistance to invest my share in your country.I look forward to your prompt response.Thanks and regards.Ahmed Kabo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam