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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:
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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:
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "i got your address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (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.
  
• 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.
  • amina002abiola@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: amina abiola <amina_1313ab@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <amina002abiola@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 13:22:21 +0000
Subject: FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT



PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
GOOD DAY, Forgive me if this letter comes to you as a surprise due to the fact that we do not know each other in person. I got your address from the South African Chambers of Commerce through a reliable source am mrs amina abiola, A wife of late business mogul chief M.K.Abiola,a widow and with my only son keke, abiola. presently bsed in abuja,west africa.l have $24,000,000USD=(Twentyfour million United states dollars)inheritance fund from my late husband in a Private Equity Investment Trust Company for safe keeping here in Cotonou.I am willing to offer you 20% of the total fund if you can assist me in transfering this fund to your country .I wishes to invest in a stable economy.My interest is in companies with potentials forrapid growth in long terms. I am interested in placing part of this fund in your company,if your country`sbi-laws allows foreign investment.Respond in my private email address:(amina002abiola@yahoo.com)I wait your urgent responsebest Regards,Mrs. Amina Abiola.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam