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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "trunk box" (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 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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22508157757 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: mariam alfarouk <mariam_far1973@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: ma1957@y7mail.com
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 10:54:37 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: with interest.


Dearest,
With warm heart I want to offer my friendship and hope that this message reaches you in good faith, however strange or surprising it may be to you as we have not met personally or have any relationship in the past, you should consider the importance and benefit.
 
My name is Mariam Alfarouk, I am in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast, with my son, and I want to cooperate with you in my desire to transfer my money to you in your country. Please with me is the sum of  22 million Dollars, in my trunk box,presently deposited in a reputable security & Vaults company here in Abidjan. I want your assistance, as a front, in transferring this money abroad to your country and as a business developer, you will help me to invest the money in a profitable business and help us obtain a residential permit for me and my son to stay comfortable with you there.
 
My son Williams and I have agreed to offer to you 20% of the total sum in the box as compensation for your assistance. Please I implore you to treat this transaction in all secrecy and confidentiality for security reasons. You can call me or my son, on Tel+225 0815 7757, or send a mail directly
 
Thank you and May God bless you.
Mariam

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam