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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.

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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• 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.
  • +27834938660 (South Africa, 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.
  • thapelo.andrew@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: <fundtransfer@centrum.cz>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:04:49 +0200
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS, REPLY ACCORDINGLY


From: Mr. Andrew Thapelo
Director of Projects
Department of Minerals &amp; Energy
Pretoria.
Tell: +27 83 493 8660
E-mail: thapelo.andrew@yahoo.com
 
ATTENTION: Sir/Madam
 
I write, asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to the tune of Twelve Million, Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$12.8m), which we want to keep safely overseas under your supervision.
 
In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf. The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm by my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.
 
Kindly pardon the use of a medium informal as this for reaching out to you to make a request of great importance to us.
 
Currently, I work as a Director of Projects at The Department of Minerals &amp; Energy here in Pretoria . I have the authority and approval of my partners involved in this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your participation and I propose 22.2 percent, while we also propose that we receive 46.6 percent and 31.2 percent be earmarked for purposes of taxation.
 
This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with the utmost discretion. You are advised to reach me through email or you can contact me on my number for further clarifications.
 
I am available for further clarification via e-mail.
 
I kindly wait to hear from you.
 
Yours
Sincerely,
 
Mr. Andrew Thapelo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam