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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "transaction is 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: demien bela <demi_b07@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: d_bela2006@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2006 01:25:12 +0100 (CET)
Subject: From: Demien Bela.


FROM DEMIEN BELA.
ABIDJAN COTE D’ IVOIRE

Dearest
I wish to solicit your help in migrating to your country and assistance with my funds.

Briefly, I am a Sierra Leonean National and the son of late Dr and Mrs. UDUGO BELA . Until their death, my father was the General overseer of the Diamond Mine in Kanema Sierra Leone. The military forces loyal to the Government of Ahmed TIJAN KABBAH invaded our house and assassinate my father and killed my mother also. The (RUF) mistaking him for his brother FELIX UDUGO who is the deputy to the leader of the revolutionary United Front (RUF ) FODAY SANKOH. After this incident i knew i was not safe in my country any more so i gathered some valuables in our family villa and escaped for my dear life in the to Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire.

Among the valuables was a file that contained details of a deposit my father made in a security company in Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire. He deposited 17.5 million US dollars contained in a trunk box in my name as containing family valuables.my father made this money from the sale of Gold and diamonds during his time as the General overseer.

Now that i am in Abidjan and verified the transaction, we need your assistance to move this funds out of Côte d’Ivoire for investment in your country as i cannot invest here due to its nearest to my country and the war still going on there. i ask you to scout for a viable and lucrative business,
so that i can invest wisely. I have it in mind to give your 20% of the total sum (17.5 million US Dollars), and 15% share in any investment we will embark upon if you assist me. i will also set aside 5% of the funds for ancillary expenses which you will make in course of this transaction- fax messages, phone calls, air tickets etc.

This fortune i have revealed to you should remain confidential as it only you who i have told about it.
This transaction, needs and deserves to confidential between you and my family as you our parent are on longer alive. Please get back to me on receipt of this message for futher directives. Note that this transaction is risk free.

Best regards
DEMIEN BELA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam