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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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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)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • mrs_elena_y22@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mrs.elenayengeni3@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 08:58:54 -0700
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?GREETINGS=21=21=21=21=21?=

Dear Friend,

My name is Elena Yengeni a South African Parliamentarian Wife. I got your
Contact through a personal research .I am the Wife to Mr. Tony Yengeni.

Mr. Yengeni was the chairman of parliaments in South Africa and the former
chief whip of the ruling political party ANC. My Husband (MR. T. YENGENI),has
as a result of trust and Confidence mandated me to search for a Reliable
and trustworthy foreign partner, who Will help us in investing this funds,
which we have in cash Totaling US$9.5m (Nine Million five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars) into a personal, company or any Reliable foreign
bank account for safe keeping for a Short period of time, since our family
bank accounts Within and outside the country have all been Frozen by the
authorities. (I would refer you to these Websites for further information
about my family)

http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/10/03/safrica.arms/inde
x.html

However we have managed to ship through a Diplomatic means the said fund
out, and it is presently in the custody of a security company in Europe.
I believe you are trustworthy and will utilize the money when you receive
it. The total sum will be shared as follows: 20% for you, 75% for my family,
and then the remaining 5% will be used for the reimbursement of all the
expenses we will incure in the process of this transaction with your interest
in this business, Please Endeavor to keep this business strictly confidential
because of South African Government.

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks
Mrs. Elena Yengeni.
REPLY TO : mrs_elena_y22@myway.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam