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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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)
  • ",500,000" (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: "Australia Lottery Inc" <alex.gionta@gmail.com>
Reply-To: revalex72@live.com
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:02:50 -0800
Subject: Attention:


>From the Desk of:
Engr. Polly Bongani Contact- Email- <Email-pollybongani@live.com>
pollybongani@live.com

Attention: President / C.E.O

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

*
*
I am Engineer Polly Bongani, a director of Project Management with the South
African Ministry of Minerals and Energy Recourses. I am making this contact
with you based on the committee's need for an individual/ company who is
willing to assist us with a solution to money transfer.

First and foremost, I apologize using this medium to reach you for a
transaction / business of this magnitude, but this is due to Confidentiality
and prompt access reposed on this medium. In enfolding this proposal, I want
to count on you, as a respected and honest person to handle this transaction
with sincerity and trust. I have decided to seek
co-operation from you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for
the benefit of all parties involved and hope you will keep it as a secret
because of the nature of this transaction. Within the department of Minerals
and Energy Recourses where I am employed as a director of project management
and with the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our
possession as overdue payment bills totaling Thirty Eight million,
five hundred thousand U.S Dollars (U.S $38,500,000.00) which we want to
transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign
company/individual to receive the said funds on our behalf or a reliable
foreign non-company account to receive such funds.

We are handicapped in circumstances, as we are still in active government
service and more so the South African Code of Conduct does not allow us to
operate off-sure accounts hence your importance in this transaction. This
amount (U.S$38.5m) represents the balance of the total contract value
executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we,
the officials over invoiced deliberately. Though the actual contract costs
have been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in
tune of the said amount which we have in principles got approval to remit by
Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign Bank account you will provide by
filling in the application through the Justice department here in South
Africa for the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to
you. I have the authority of the parties involved to discuss modalities of
sharing with you. Your share of the entire sum U.S$38.5 Million will be
(20%), U.S$7M, 390,000.00(SEVEN MILLION THREE HUNDRED AND NINTY THOUSAND
UNITED SATATE DOLLARS ONLY), (75%) (U.S$30,399 Million) for us.

The disbursement pattern still remains as agreed percentage if taxation in
your country takes a toll of the total sum. The business itself has a
minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy
and confidentiality. Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to
the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence
in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

I wait in anticipation for your fullest co-operation. Please respond through
my secured telephone and fax above for any questions concerning the clarity
on this transaction. Kindly notify me by phone, e-mail or fax, your secured
telephone and fax number for further details upon your acceptance of this
proposal, this will enable me to call and fax all
details for your understanding before we commerce.

Thank you in anticipation for your co-operation.

Best regards,
Engr. Polly Bongani

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam