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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +22507385498 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a 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.
  • atatah_martin@dbzmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Martin Atatah <martin_atatah7@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:55:26 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Assistance


From Martin Atatah
Abidjan,Cote d'ivoire
West Africa
Email: atatah_martin@dbzmail.com
Tel: +225 0738 5498
Dear,

In confidence,I have to introduce myself for I am Martin Atatah, the only child of late Chief and Christian Atatah, I wish to request for your assistance in my efforts to procure the transfer of my inherited funds for investment ventures Overseas.

I have Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000.00) here in my name with one of the prime banks here and I will require your assistance in receiving the transfer of the funds in your local account for investment purposes. As it is my desire to come over to your country to further my education while you take care of the investment of the money.

I will be very appreciative if you can return to me with urgent dispatch to enable me advise you on the modalities.

I await in anticipation to receive your immediate response.
My Kind Regards!
Martin Atatah

Please always contact through my personal email address for security and confidential reasons.
atatah_martin@dbzmail.com
atatah_martin@dbzmail.com


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Envoyé avec Yahoo! Mail.
Une boite mail plus intelligente.

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Envoyé avec Yahoo! Mail.
Une boite mail plus intelligente.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam