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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:
  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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "is highly confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • +27838760224 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: florence gershon <florence_gershon10@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:19:14 +0000
Subject: Re: Family Assistance Please



From:Florence GershonJohannesburg,South Africa.family - Email:florencegershon@yahoo.co.ukMobile:+27 838 760 224

Good Morning,I am Mrs. Florence Gershon, the Wife of late DR.Radede Gershon, who was murdered in a land dispute in ZIMBABWE.I got your contact during my search for reliable&competent foreigner to handle a confidential financial transaction, then I decided to write you. My late Husband was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agent of the ruling government of President ROBERT MUGABE for his alleged support and sympathy for Zimbabwean opposition party. Before the death of my Husband, he took me to South Africa to deposit the sum of Twenty million US Dollars ($20m) with a security and finance company, as if he knew the looming danger in Zimbabwe. The money was deposited as a gem/precious stone to avoid much dumorage from the security firm. This money was earmarked for the purchase of new machinery and chemicals for the farms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland.This land problem arose when President R. MUGABE introduced a new land Act. which wholly affects the White rich farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the 'MODUS OPERANDI' adopted by the government. This resulted to rampant killing and mob actions. I and my family who are currently staying in South Africa as refugees or asylum seekers have decided to enter your name as foreigner/beneficiary of the Trunk Cases containing the Cash (USD20M) for further transfer of the money to a foreign country where we can invest it. I am faced with the dilemma of claiming/investing this amount of money in South Africa for fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries have the same political history. Moreover, the South African monetarypolicy/law does not allow such investment hence I am seeking for an asylum or refugee.You can as well read more about the crises in my country and about this situation on the following sites:http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/africa/08/12/violence.zimbabwe/http://www.guardian.co.uk/zimbabwe/article/0,2763,562148,00.htmlI must let you know that this business is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessary matter. So if you are willing to assist us claim the ownership of this money,I and my family have agreed to give you 20% of the total money, 40% will be for a joint business venture I will be doing with you and another 35% will be for me and my family which we shall also invest in your country and the remaining 5% will be mapped out for all expenses we may incure during the transaction. Therefor, if you are willing and interested to render the needed assistance. Please furnish me your private phone and Fax number for easy and better communication. Remember that this is highly confidential and the success of this business depends on how secret it is kept. Expecting your reply soonest.Best Regard.Mother Florence Gershon
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam