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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Mariam Sankoh" <sankoh022@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <sankoh001@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:56:26 +0100
Subject: Re: Info



Dear Sir/Madam,From where my family sort refuge under the auspices of UNHCR in Republic of Guinea since 2003, I Mrs. Mariam Sankoh, wife of the deceased Paul Chieck Sankoh, a formal freedom fighter or what people may call rebel in Sierra Leon, decided to write you this mail to solicit your help to move some money hitherto hidden in a security company to your account anywhere in the world. It's expedient now since the war has ended and the situation in our country is gradually coming to normal. My family wants to use this money to invest in one of the West African countries - precisely in Nigeria. I have contracted an Attorney in Nigeria to make sure this age long dream of stabilizing my family is achieved. I have handed him over this deal to transact with you to ensure that all protocols are observed concerning the movement of this money so that it does not violate any international law.Full details will be further given if I hear from you. Also I will appreciate if you can send me immediately your phone number including mobile line, fax and your address. Also your position in your company which will elucidate your ability to handle this money once it is in your hand. Please note that the transaction is hitch-free since I will give you the document which my husband used in depositing the money and with the advice of my lawyer everything will be done professionally. Do note that the success of the deal depends on you ability to keep it secret.
Regards
Mrs. Mariam Sankoh
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam