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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:

• 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:
  • "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (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. )
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348037130202 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • adenpa2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Adebayo Saromi <adenpa2@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:46:43 +0100
Subject: My Dear, Very Urgent,



FROM: THE DESK OF MR.ADEBAYO SAROMI.MANAGING DIRECTOR, NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITYLAGOS PORT COMPLEX, APAPA QUAYS.E-MAIL: adenpa2@hotmail.comTel: 234 803 7130202. Attn: The Managing Director, My Dear, URGENT FUND TRANSFER:Although this proposal might come to you as a surprise, since it is from someone you do not know or have seen before, but based on recommendations, I gathered from a very reliable source here in Nigeria. I am the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority. The crux of this letter is that the Finance/Contract Department of the NPA deliberately over-inflated the contract values of various contract awarded. In the course of disbursement my office was able to track down the sum of US$30 Million (Thirty Million U.S Dollars Only) as the over invoiced sum. This money is now floating in the NPA domiciliary account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).my colleagues and I now want to quickly transfer this fund to a safe nominated foreign account for possible investment abroad. We are not allowed as a matter of Government policy, to operate any foreign account because of our status as civil/public servants. Hence the needs to solicit for your full banking details, to enable us transfer this money into your account. Upon your acceptance of this proposal, we have also agreed on a sharing ratio:-1) 30% for you as the account owner.2) 60% for I and my colleagues.3) 10% will be set aside to defray all incidental expenses both locally and internationally during the course of this transaction. Furthermore, we shall be coming over to your country when the money is finally in your account and we shall be relying on your advice as regards to investment of our share. Be informed that, this business is genuine and 100% safe considering the high-powered Government Officials involved.

I will provide all the necessary legal documents needed to back you up for this business, and I also guarantee you that, this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Send by mail the following information:- 1) YOUR COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS, YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS, YOUR AGE/SEX AND OCCUPATION. 2} YOUR TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. This is to effect the Swift Transfer of this fund into your account in less than Fourteen (14 to 21) working days. Contact me strictly on the above E-mail address or you can Contact me on my telephone number: 234-803-7130202, or via this private email address: adenpa2@yahoo.com Expecting, your mail or call immediately, while looking forward to a healthy business relationship with you. Sincerely yours,Mr. Adebayo Saromi.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam