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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:

• 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • ",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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • +23417305119 (Nigeria, landline)
• 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.
  • georgemac@mighty.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: <georgemac@d1g.com>
Reply-To: georgemac@mighty.co.za
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:04:27 +0300
Subject: Read and get back to us.


Dear Friend,
URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
It is my great pleasure in writing you this letter on behalf of my
colleagues. Your particulars were given to me by a member of the
Nigeria Export Promotion Council (N.E.P.C) who was with the federal
government delegation to your country during a trade exhibition. I
have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the
execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all
parties and hope you will keep it as top secret because of the nature
of this business.
I am Mr George Mac,Director Of Project Implementation, Nigera
Department of Minerals & Energy I am making this contact with you,
based on the committee's need for an individual/company who is
willing to assist us in the execution of this business. Within the
Department of Minerals & Energy, where I work as a Director of the
Project Implementation and with the good co-operation of four other
top officials, we have in our possession as over due payment bills,
totaling
Twenty Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars (US$26,500,000) 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. More so, we are handicap in
these circumstances, as the Nigeria Civil Services code of conduct
does not allow us to operate an offshore account. Hence your
importance in this transaction.
This amount $26.5Million represents the balance of the total
contract value executed on behalf of my ministry by a Foreign
Contracting Firm, which we the Officials over invoiced deliberately.
Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original
contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount, which
we have in principles gotten approval to remit by Key Tested
Telegraphic Transfer (K.T.T)?. to any Foreign Bank Account you will
provide by filing an Application through the Ministry Of Justice here
in Nigeria, for the transfer of rights and privileges of the
former
contractor to you.
I have the Authority of my partners involved to propose that you
should be willing to assist us in this transaction, your share of the
sum is 30% of the $26.5Million, 60% for us and 5% for taxation and
miscellaneous expenses and remaining 5% will be for charity
organization.
The transaction it self is 100% safe, on your part provided you
treats 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 want to assure you that my partner and myself are in
the position to make the payment of this claim possible, provided that
you can give us a very strong assurance and guarantee that the funds
will be secured and please, remember to treat this matter very
confidential,because we will not comprehend with any form of exposure
as we are still in active Government service.
Please, reply me on my
confidential email
address:georgemac@mighty.co.za or call/fax your response directly to
my. Tel: 23417305119 OR Fax No.:2341886141.
Once again, remember that time is of great essence in this
transaction,I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.
Thank you for your co-operation,
Yours Faithfully,Mr George Mac.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam