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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "transaction is 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 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.
  • drmandy@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Dr.Mandy Kufour <drmandy_kufour@indiatimes.com>
Reply-To: drmandy_kufour@myway.com
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2006 13:28:14 +0400
Subject: Transfer Assistance


MNISTRY OF LANDS, FORESTRY AND MINES
P.O.BOX M212
ACCRA - GHANA

Dear Friend,

I am contacting you to familiarize myself with you to enable us work together on
the transfer of us$15.5 million.

I am Dr. Mandy Kufour, a director with the above mentioned ministry here in Ghana.

The funds in question (us$15.5million) was found in one of our routine checks to be
laying waste for the past five (years) in the ministry's vault as it was part of an
over-invoiced contract by the past administration.

I have resolved all issues with all the concerned persons in the ministry and I have their approvals to seek a foreigner with whose name and particulars the funds will be
transferred and that is why I am contacting you today.

It is guaranteed that we will ensure that all cover-up documents will be made for
formality reasons to permit a smooth transfer.

Remember that I am still in service and the other people involved are also in service
hence we are doing everything practically possible to make sure that this transaction is risk free and we expect you to do the same by keeping this to yourself.

We will be ready to decide the sharing mode as well as the other conditions when you give us your nod of readiness to assist.

Other details of this transaction will be made known to you when I hear from you.

Finally, I would want you to open up communication with me via: Tel: 008821688854690 or Email: drmandy@myway.com

It is important you consider the confidentiality of this transaction.

Regards,

Dr. Mandy Kufour

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam