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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:
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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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Kabalahi" <kabalahi_paul@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: paul_kabalahi@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 03:51:09 -0700
Subject: Your reply is urgently needed


Dear Sir

I am Paul Kabalahi, Chairman of the Tender Committee in an oil company. My
Committee is principally concerned with payment of all contract awarded from
2004 to date, in order of priority as regard capital projects of our
corporation.
I am positive and convinced that you would provide me with solution to a
money transfer deal valued at US$30 Million (thirty Million United States
Dollars) and subsequently a joint business venture with us.

I will need bank account in your country or offshore account to enable me
move out the funds into your norminated bank account.
I will like to invest the money over there in your country into real estate
investment. If you have any other idea of investment, that would be
welcomed by me. The money will be bank-to-bank transfer or through delivery
at your doorstep by a diplomatic courier officials.

In the course of our duties as values, and project inspectors for the
on-going liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project, we have over-invoiced the
value of some jobs done by foreign contractors to the tune of US$13Million.
As follows: - (1) Computer optimization and Installation 4,000.000.00.
(2) Installation of 250,000.00 Monax Turbine$6,000.000.00 (3) Turn around
Maintenance $3,000,000.00 The money will be shared as follows after
transfer, 30% for you 70% for me. I know exactly how to present you /
your company as the Beneficiary of the funds.

Note, there is no risk involved.

Yours Faithfully,

Paul Kabalahi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam