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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (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.
  • +27835953279 (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.
  • psupo00@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: patrick_supo@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 11:42:03 +0200
Subject: Business Investment

>From : Patrick Supo.
Phone: +27 83 595 3279
Email: psupo00@yahoo.com

Attn:

RE: TRANSFER OF USD156, 000,000. 00

I am quite sure that this mail will come to you as a surprise since I have not been having previous correspondences with you.

First, let me start by introducing myself as Mr. Patrick Supo, who is working in account management section in charge of credit and foreign bills in a prime bank here in South Africa. I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with Balance of USD156, 000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Million USD).

On further investigation, I found that the account holder died with his family on a fatal road accident. The account has no beneficiary and no other person knows about this account.

I am in close contact with the bank manager here who is my partner and is willing to approve the transfer to any reliable and trustworthy foreigner with foreign bank account because the former owner of the a/c is a foreigner. The account has no written or oral WILL attached to it. I will provide the necessary information and documents needed in order to claim this money if you agree to receive this fund in your account pending my arrival in your country for sharing and on receipt of your Bank Account Details where the fund will be transferred.

We will start with FIFTY SIX MILLION USD. At the end, 65% will be for me, 25% for you and 5% will be set aside for expenses incurred on both sides during the transfer. Another 5% will go to the charity. There is no risk involved as every arrangement has been perfected. We are affected by South African Civil Service Code of Conduct Laws that prohibits Civil Servants from operating Private Foreign Accounts.

Your cooperation is highly needed.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Patrick Supo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam