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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +22993694372 (Benin, 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.
  • mikydassa@yahoo.dk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Smith Koffi" <mithkoffi@gala.net>
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:00:23 +0100
Subject: Thanks.


My Dearest friend,

I am happy to inform you that I have suceeded in transferring the fifteen
million United States Dollars to bank of Italy with the assitance of a
Paraguay friend, whom based on agreement received 25% of the entire money
for his financial involvement.

Present I have relocate to South Korea to establish the eletronic company
project with my own share as I have earlier proposed. Nevertheless, I cannot
forget you, especially your honest effort, though it did not yield positive
fruit, but I still appreciate it, thanks you very much, meanwhile have a
surprise package for you.

Contact my secretary in Africa and his name is Michael Dassa with the
following address;

Name ; Mr Michael Dassa
Email ; mikydassa@yahoo.dk
Tel ; +229-93694372

You should send him your full information such as the follow:

Your full name
Address
Your telephone/fax

I have intructed him to direct you on how you would receive the sum of
$800,000.00 United States Dollars in international bank draft which I set
out for your compensation, please I want you to accept it in good faith. I
really appreciate all you did and I pray that we would meet someday, but
right now I too busy for some time, you know what I mean, so feel free and
get in touched with Mr Michael Dassa.

I remain your bossom friend,

Best Regards,
Mr Smith Koffi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam