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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • katewilliam59@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: MRS.KATE WILLIAM. <katewilliam59@zwallet.com>
Reply-To: katewilliam59@netscape.net
Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2006 20:43:29 +0100
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE.


FROM THE PERSONAL SECRETARY TO THE WIFE OF FORMER NIGERIAN HEAD OF STATE .

Dear Friend,

I AM MRS KATE WILLIAM THE PERSONAL SECRETARY TO WIFE OF FORMER NIGERIAN HEAD OF STATE, LATE GENERAL SANI ABACHA who died on the 8th of June 1998 while still on active service for our Country.

I am contacting you with the hope that you will be of great assistance to me, I currently have within my reach the sum of twenty million U.S dollars cash which I intend to use for investment purposes outside Nigeria.

This money came as a result of a payback contract deal between my husband and a Russian firm in our country's multi-billion dollar Ajaokuta steel plant. The Russian partners returned my husbands share being the above sum after his death. Presently, the new civilian Government has intensified their probe into my husbands financial resources which has led to the freezing of all our accounts, local and foreign, the revoking of all our business licences and the arrest of my First son.

In view of this I acted very fast to withdraw this money from one of our finance houses before it was closed down. I have deposited the money in a security company with the help of very loyal officials of my late husband. No record is known about this fund by the government because there is no documentation showing that we received such funds.

Due to the current situation in the country and government attitude to my family, I cannot make use of this money within, thus I seek your help in transferring this funds out of the sub-African region.Bearing in mind that you may assist me, l have decided to part with 20% of the total sum. Please kindly reply through this email address and include your personal telephone and fax numbers.

Please contact me through my private e-mail address(katewilliam59@netscape.net)

Your URGENT response is needed.

Regards,
Mrs. KATE WILLIAM

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam