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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "million 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Hannah Sese-seko <dtanga1000@onet.eu>
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 17:19:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED.

Hello,

I am Mrs. Hanna Sese-seko, widow of late President Mobutu Sese-seko of Zaire,
now known as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) here in Africa. I have decided
to write you this letter in confidence considering the present circumstances
and situation I now finds myself. My husband was overthrown from power and we
escaped along with my two sons, Charles and Basher out of Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) to Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire where my family and I settled, while
we later moved to settle in Morroco where my husband later died of cancer
disease.

However, since my husband's death, several billions of dollars belonging to my
husband which were deposited in Swiss banks and other European banks have been
frozen and confistcated by the present government in power in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC). The present President in power, Joseph Kabila has
made arrangements with the Swiss government and other Europeans countries to
confistcate all my husbands assets. Hence, my children and I are currently in
hiding.

One of my late husband's chateaux in Southern France was confiscated by the
french government. I am now a refugee and I do not have total freedom and
where I have been placed on surveillance.

Before my husbands death, he deposited the sum of US$32 Million (Thirt-two
million United States Dollars) with a finance and security company and the
Claim documents are with me. No one is aware of this except my sons and I. I
now wish to seek your assistance and co-operation to help receive this money
and invest it in any viable business venture in your country. This is because
I do not want anyone to know we have the fund in our custody.

Please note that this transaction is 100% risk free. The confidentiality
andsecrecy of this transaction is very important and I will not want you to
betray the trust and confidence I have reposed in you.

Upon the receipt of your response, I will inform you the country and company
where the funds are deposited and give you further details as regards this
transaction.

I am willing to give you 30% of the total funds for your assistance and
co-operation.

Do endeavour to send your telephone and fax number for easier communication.

Regards,
Mrs. Hanna Sese-seko.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam