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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state 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)
  • ",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)
  • "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a "Zimbabwe" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "sanko solomon" <solomon_sanko2@colombia.com>
Reply-To: solomon11sanko@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 22:36:41 +0200
Subject: From Solomon Sanko.


>From Solomon Sanko.

Dearest one,

I know that you will be surprised to receive this letter from me since you
don't know me in person. I am Solomon Sanko. The only son of late Mr.
Williams Sanko from Zimbabwe who was recently murdered in political land
dispute in Zimbabwe.My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean rich
farmers murdered in cold blood by the agent of the ruling government of
President Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for Zimbabwe
supporters of main opposition party (movement for democratic change) (M.D.C)
Before the death of my father, he went to Ivory Coast and deposited the sum
of ($10,500,000,00 million United State Dollars) in one of the famous Trust
Company in Ivory Coast, for establishment of new farms before his sudden
death and he used my name as the next of kin and made the deposit.

The money was earmarked for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for
the establishment of new farms in Cote D'Ivoire This Land problem arose when
President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land act which mostly affects the
white rich farmers and some few blacks, my father and his group vehemently
condemned the new act adopted by the ruling government.This resulted to
continue killing of opposition farmers. I am presently staying here in Ivory
Coast as a refugee, I am 20 years old, I have decided to transfer this money
to a foreign country where it can be invested safely and wisely. I am faced
with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in Ivory Coast for fear
of encountering the same experience in future since this country is facing
some political vaolince. I must let you know that this transaction is 100%
risk free.

Please if you assist me, I will give you 25% of the total money, and 75%
will be for me and for my investment. Therefore if you are willing to assist
me, endeavor to reply through my private email .I also needs your private
telephone numbers for easy communication. Remember that this is highly
confidential . Expecting your call soonest for more clarifications
0022506310846.

Best regards,

Solomon Sanko.

N/B. PLEASE MY DEAR I WILL BE GLAD IF YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE BELOW WEB SITE
TO UNDERSTAND VERY WELL WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam