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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)
• 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.
  • +27781611940 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.STEVEN RICHARD, THE ZIMBABWE WHITE FARMER" <st_richard3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: st_richard76@myway.com
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:14:04 +0000
Subject: CONTACT ME ASAP

FROM: MR. STEVEN RICHARD

TEL: +27781611940

 

Attn: Director/ Ceo,

 

My name is Mr. Steven Richard, the son of Mr. Raphael Richard of Zimbabwe. This might be a surprise to you about how I got your contact information; I got your address from a secure Internet database during my search for a foreign business partner who will assist me in transferring and investing my family fortune.

 

During the current Land invasion problem by President Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party in Zimbabwe. Mugabe repossessed most of the White owned farms. My father also lost his tobacco farm because he did not support the Zanu-PF and Mugabe in their action.  My father was latter murdered on his attempt to fight for his farm. All our family valuables were eventually burnt down.

 

Before this event my father come to South Africa and deposited his life saving of US$20,000,000,00 (Twenty Million United States Dollars) in my name in a private Security Company in Johannesburg South Africa, as family treasure.

My sister and I had to run down to South Africa to seek asylum. Due to my desperation to secure this money, I was obliged to seek for a foreign partner to help me in transferring and investing this money.

 

My status here as an asylum seeker does not permit me to operate any form of bank account or any form of business. I am also worried because President Mugabe also has some of his strong allies located here in South Africa. All I want you to do is to furnish me with your personal phone and fax number for easy communication; you can also contact me on the above telephone number and also email address.

This transaction is 100% risk free and absolutely confidential.

 

Thank and GOD bless you

Best regards,

Mr.Steven Richard

Tel: + 27781611940

 

NB: PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE AND HOW MY FATHER DIED, FROM THE LINKS BELOW.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam