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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
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• 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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • segunobasanjo@excite.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "SEGUN OBASANJO" <segunobasanjo1@3darenanet.com>
Reply-To: segunobasanjo@excite.com
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:12:48 +0300
Subject: GOOD DAY FRIEND..............


Attention:Friend.

I got your contact through my private search, I therefore decided to contact you .I am the son of Formal President Of Nigeria,

When my father was in power I used to move funds, in cash, running into millions of United States dollars to other parts of the world, for safe keeping on behalf However, Before my father’Step down for the new elected president of Nigeria, he gave me the sum of US$40.3(FORTY MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS)in cash to move to Lebanon as usual, but immediately my stepped down I had to move the fund to EUROPE through a diplomatic courier service to a trust Security company in EUROPE.
The funds have been in the Security company in EUROPE since April 2006.However, because of the many restrictions placed on my family by the present Nigerian Government, I simply cannot travel to EUROPE to secure the funds from the Security company in EUROPE for security reason.

What I need from you are as follows:-

1.You should travel to EUROPE to secure the funds in cash on my behalf and deposit it in your bank account in your Country.

2.You will be entitled to 30% of the total sum involved for your assistance.

3.As soon as you confirm to me by my above e-mail address your readiness to travel to EUROPE, I will send a copy of my Power of Attorney to the security company in EUROPE authorizing them to release the funds to you.

4.As soon as you have the fund in your custody, I will give you details of where and which sector you will invest my share of the funds into, on my behalf.

5.Please note that this project is 100% risk free, but you must keep it very secret and confidential because of my personal security.

If you are intrested Please contact me immediately with your mobile telephone number through my private email address :segunobasanjo@excite.com,

I expect your prompt reply.
Best Regards.
Segun Obasanjo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam