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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "dearest one," (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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: RICHEL RAMSON <rrichel10@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <richel01ramson@terra.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:23:52 +0100
Subject: From Richel



From Richel Rue 6 bp 01 Cocody Abidjan Cote D Ivoire. Dearest one, I do apologize for approaching you in such a manner, but circumstances forced me to contact you but am of the believe that you would be obliged to come to my assistance after hearing about my situation. I am Richel Ramson,I was formerly a medical student of university of Abidjan, Ivory Coast West Africa. My mother died while giving birth to me and my father is a cocoa merchandise and he has a lot of farm here, due to the fact that my mother was late,he took me so precious and gave me all I needed caring and comfort till I grew up. Unfortunately, late last year October 2006, the current government struck our township and killed my father who was an opposition leader to the president of my country Ivory Coast before his death he has $5.5 m US dollars (five million, five hundred thousand dollars.) In a domiciliary account with a bank in Cote D Ivoire which I am the next of kin. Please I humbly need your assistance in the following ways. 1) To help get this money transferred to you. 2) To serve as the guardian of this fund since i am only 17. 3) To make arrangement for me to come over after this money is transferred to complete my studies. 4) To look for a good venture where this money will be invested, I am willing to offer you 20% of the total sum as compensation of your effort and 5% for any other expenses you made after a successful transfer. Note that the confidentiality of this transaction would be highly appreciated in replying soonest. I await your response. Sincerely, Richel Ramson.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam