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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "million 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)
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "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 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.
  • charles.zamani@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Charles Zamani" <charleszamani@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: charles.zamani@sify.com
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:20:22 +0000
Subject: please help me


CHARLES ZAMANI
Tinsley Refugee Camp,
Abidjan - Cote D' Ivoire,
Email: charles.zamani@hotmail.com
TELL: +22547734656

My name is MR.CHARLES ZAMANI the only surviving son of MR. JOHNSON ZAMANI,
from the Republic of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you how I got your
contact address. I got your contact address from the internet on line while
searching for a capable and reliable person who will help me to transfer
some funds out of South Africa for investment purpose.
During the current war against the white Farmers in Zimbabwe by the
supporters of our President Robert Mugabe, in his effort to chase all the
white Farmers out of the country, He ordered all the white Farmers to
surrender their farms to his Party members and his followers. My father was
one of the best and successful farmers in our country who did not support
the idea of dispossessing the white farmers of their land.

Because of this, his farm and his were invaded and burnt by Government
supporters. In the course of these attacks, my father was killed along side
my other family members, and the invaders made away with a lot of items from
my fathers farm. And our family house was utterly destroyed.

Before the death of my father, he drew my attention to the sum of
USD14M.(FOURTHEEN MILLION DOLLARS).which he deposited with a Security
company in Abidjan - Cote D'Ivoire .I decided to move out of Zimbabwe for my
own safety, because my lives was in danger, I decided to move to the Cote
D'Ivoire where my father deposited this money and down to here in Abidjan
where am presently seeking political assylum. Till date the security company
is not aware of the real content of the trunks boxes because my father used
his diplomatic immunity as at that time to deposit the boxes as important
personal valuables.

I decided to contact overseas person/firm that will assist me move the money
out of Cote D'Ivoire. This becomes necessary because as a political Asylum
seeker, I am not allowed to own or operate a Bank account. If you accept
this proposal, you shall receive 25% of the entire amount for your
assistance to move this money out. 70% of this amount shall be for us, and
the remaining 5% shall be mapped out for expenses incurred in the course of
the transaction.

All I need you to do is to furnish me with your personal phone and fax
numbers for easy communication. Note that this transaction is 100% risk-free
and absolutely confidential. Please contact me with this telephone number:
+22547734656. immediately for more details.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation.
Best regards,
MR.CHARLES ZAMANI

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam