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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• 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.
  • +27737375286 (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.
  • a.thambo@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Anthony Thambo" <tthambo106@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: a.thambo@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:59:16 +0200
Subject: AN URGENT LETTER.

From: Mr. Anthony Thambo
Phone: +27-737 375 286
Email: a.thambo@gmail.com

Request for Confidential Business Relationship

First, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction. I am an official
with the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs, in South Africa. I am
urgently in need of a silent partner to assist me in receiving the sum of
USD$2.3M Two Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars, accrued
to me as commission and kickback from a foreign contractor through my
connections.

The money is presently waiting to be transferred from the bank, ABSA in
South Africa to any oversea beneficiary account confirmed by me as an
associate/receiver. By virtue of my position and as civil servant, I am in
no way not authorized to acquire such huge amount in my position due to the
civil service code of conduct to own or operate bank account off-shore and
also to avoid being probed for malpractices and unethical conducts.

Before this money could be made use of, I will need the services of a
foreigner to transfer the money in his/her account urgently for our mutual
benefit, hence the reason for this email. My request from you is: (1) to be
that partner as the sole beneficiary to the contract amount, for which I
shall secure all legal documentation to authenticate the claim. (2) I will
also need your private telephone and fax numbers for easier and faster
communication. (3) On receipt of the funds, to deduct your commission and
retain the funds until I come over for my share.

For your commission, you will be receiving 20% for assisting in facilitating
the transfer, since my objective is to invest the money in your country. I
will appreciate if you could further more assist me invest in profitable
ventures in your country for an additional 3%. This however is optional, and
if it is not convenient for you, you would be able to opt out at this stage
having made available my share.

The transaction, although discreet, is legitimate. I guarantee successful
execution with all necessary official documents legalizing the source of
fund and not to be viewed as terrorist money, money laundering or drug
money, which makes the project 100% risk free from both sides.

Please if this meets your approval, kindly reply immediately via this email
address: a.thambo@gmail.com, one more request, please try as much as
possible to treat this information confidential.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Anthony Thambo.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam