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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "liberia" (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: FLORENCE TAYLOR <florence1@live.com>
Reply-To: <florencetaylor90@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:21:07 +0100
Subject: URGENT



Dear Friend,

I got your contact after a diligent search of a foreign partner who will be of immediate assistance to us believing that this business proposal will be of mutual benefit to both of us and that you will not betray me.

I am Mrs. Florence Taylor, one of the four wives to former President Charles Taylor of Liberia; the then warlord. My husband did really committed so many crimes that I feel very ashamed of but relieved to use this medium to solicit for your assistance since I have been confined to house arrest.

I have contacted you because I am really under great pressure especially now that my husband is appearing before the international court for various war crimes he committed that lead to the killings of more than 200000 people including children during his days in office.

I have now decided to move out the sum of $14.5 million US dollars and 250kgof gold dust which my husband gave me for safe keeping before we traveled to Nigeria to seek asylum. I deposited this fund and the gold dust in one financial firm in Benin Republic through the help of a consultant.

I have contacted this consultant recently and he promised to assist us totransfer this fund and the gold dust abroad without any hassles.

I want you to receive the fund and the gold dust.You will also help me to invest and manage this fund in any viable business venture though after the conclusion of the transaction I will come to your country.
I am promising to give you 20% as your commission for your involvement and any expenses that you might incur in the process of this transaction.

There is immense need for your involvement because my husband and I are widely known every where and since I am under house arrest, there is little ornothing that I can do to get this fund transferred out of this region by myself.

I shall also give you the contact of the consultant who helped us to deposit the money in Benin Republic as soon as I receive your positive response so that you can work with him to conclude this deal.
Please note that everything about this transaction must be strictly confidential.

I wait for your urgent response.
God bless you.Mrs. Florence Taylor.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam