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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)
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Barry Osas." <barry4osas@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:30:03 +0000
Subject: I Need Your Assistance.


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writting this letter with due respect and heartful of tears since we
have not known or met ourselves previously I am asking for your assistance
after I have gone through a profile that speaks good of you. I am sorry
about the miss-up in registration.I want to find out if it's possible for
you to deal with individual as to investment. I came across your profile and
I feel it's highly reputable that is why I pick an interest getting across
to you in respect of investment at my disposal I inherited a huge
amount of money from my late father,I wrote you in orderto solicite
for your help and assistance with hope you will understand my situation.
My name is Barry Osas.I am 23 years old from the republic of Sierra Leone in
west Africa,now seeking refuge in Dakar Senegal under the Unite Nation HighCommission For Refugees (UNHCR).My (late) father Dr. Zamani Osas ,was the managing director
J & D Oil company in (FREE TOWN) Sierra Leone. But he was
killed along side with my senior brother during the longing civil war by
rebels and all our properties was totally destroyed.
However,after their death and burial I managed to escape with a very
important document (DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE) of (US$6.5m) Six Million Five Hundred
Thousand U.S Dollars,this document indicated me as the Next of Kin
.Meanwhile,I am saddled with the problem of securing a trust worthy foriegn
personality or an organisation to help me transfer the money over to Your
country with the intention of investing it in a business under his/her
directives and supervisstions,because I have no knowledge of investment.
Please if you are so kind as to assist me I shall send to you all vital
informations for your confirmation regarding the bank where the fund was
lodged.
I am giving you this offers as mentioned with every confidence on
your acceptance to assist me as yourson and manage the money in my behalf
untill such a time Iam able to stand on my feet.I will be happy to hear from you.
God Bless you as you consider me
Barry.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam