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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:
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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "contact me immediately" (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 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.
  • +27834216531 (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.
  • stanleyadams_800@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "stanley adams" <stanleyadams_800@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:46:09 +0200
Subject: PROPOSAL FOR MUTUAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION

FROM: MR STANLEY ADAMS

102, PRETORIA ROAD
SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA
PHONE: +27-83-421-6531
CONTACT: EMAIL:stanleyadams_800@hotmail.com

 

Good day.

                       PROPOSAL FOR MUTUAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION

 

I know this letter will come to you as a surprise since we have no previous contacts. Moreover, the present world is full of dishonest and distrust. Before I proceed, may I introduce myself, I am MR STANLEY ADAMS, a Zimbabwean and son of slain Zimbabwean farmer Mr. SHEDRACK ADAMS, (late). In April 2003 some veteran soldiers assassinated him following an attack in our farm house in Zimbabwe. Right now the government of Robert Mugabe has ordered us to vacate our farm lands for black occupation and even many farmers has either been killed or jailed following the expiration of president Mugabe’s evacuation mandate. As for me and my MOTHER  (MRS MARIA ADAMS) we auctioned all our properties and valuables, which includes all our farms and other farm machinery immediately after our father’s death and realized a total sum of US$30Million. Since the Zimbabwe government want all white farmers out of Zimbabwe or face various types of charges in court or even risk being killed by the veteran soldiers loyal to president Mugabe. Moderate blacks who work with white farmers and opposed to Mugabe’s policies are also affected.

 

I decided moving with my mother to a neighboring country Republic of South Africa where we are presently refugees seeking for asylum. Since the South Africa monetary law forbids refugees to operate bank account or invest in any business, we made contact with a renowned South Africa Attorney and after much deliberation on our condition, he advised that we deposit the money with a security company here in South Africa which we did, although the content of the one box deposited with the security company was not disclosed as I told them it contains jewelleries and valuable documents.

The fund is now with the security company, pending when I see a trusted person who can assist us in investing it religiously anywhere overseas. Meanwhile, we agree that 25% of this money will be for your assistance as a foreign partner where I can also settle down with my mother and start a new life. This made me to go in desperate search, which lead to my getting your contact. If you agree to assist me in this risk free transaction, a reasonable percentage as stated above will be giving to you for your assistance/help, while 50% of the annual income of any good business you introduce me into will also be yours.

Do contact me through my e-mail address. Awaiting your urgent response and Looking forward to having a very good business relationship with you in the nearest future. As soon as you receive this letter, you should contact me immediately through the above stated telephone number and indicate you direct confidential telephone and fax numbers for effective communication required.

This will work out as soon as you reply. Trusting to hear from you immediately.

 

Yours faithfully,

(Mr. Stanley Adams)

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam