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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +27734591221 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • marktambo@katamail.com
  • markthambo02@katamail.com

Fraud email example:

From: marktambo@katamail.com
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 15:46:07 +0200
Subject: PRIVATE & URGENT LETTER

FROM: MR. MARK THAMBO
JOHANNESBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA.
TEL: +27 73 459 1221
Email: marktambo@katamail.com

ATTN: SIR

It is my humble pleasure to write you this confidential letter irrespective of the fact that you do not know me. In my search for a reliable and trustworthy person, from your country that can handle a transaction of this nature. I found your profile through network on-line. I am Mr. Mark Thambo, the Director of Audit and Account Section of a Bank here in South Africa, I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us.

During my auditing and accounting for last month, I have come across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died with his family in Plain Crash while on tour in Kenya. And this deceased person is a citizen of your country but was a Mineral Explorer and Government Contractor on Gold and Diamond. Right now the fund is lying unclaimed in the Bank's custody hence there is no NEXT of KIN mentioned in his file with the Bank and there is no how we can reach his family or relatives.

The said amount is $38.3million (Thirty Eight Million Three Hundred Thousand United states Dollars). Upon my personal finding on this matter, I kept this information secret to myself until now that I am contacting you. In view of the fact that the deceased customer is a foreigner and a National of country and it is highly important for the involvement of a foreigner from your country who I will present to pose as the Next-of-Kin to claim and transfer this funds into your account for our sharing.

Before I made up my mind to contact you I have set up every conclusion to ensure that you receive the fund as the Right Next of Kin to the deposited money, also I have put in place every necessary arrangement for the transfer of this fund to your nominated bank account without having any hitch, since I am still working with the bank.

All I need from you mostly is your utmost sincerity, trustworthiness and co-operation. As soon as the fund is confirmed into your account, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification, for your personal use. While 65% will be for me and my colleagues 5% will be set aside for any expenses that might arise on the cost of transfer. I will like to entrust into your care my own share for investment on my behalf pending on my retirement and arrival to your country. I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.

If it’s interests you to champion this transaction, quickly reach me through this email address and call me on telephone +27 -734-591-221.for more detail or email at : markthambo02@katamail.com if you are interested. I will tell you what you should do once you declare your interest.

Thank you in anticipation of your acceptance to this deal. I am Looking forward for your prompt reply.

Best Regards.
Mr. Mark Thambo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam