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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• 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. )
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "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)
  • "very 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Lisa Nkomo" <lisankomotg7tg@gmail.com>
Reply-To: lisankomo@ymail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:54:17 +0000
Subject: FROM:MRS.LISA NKOMO.


FROM:MRS.LISA NKOMO.
LOME - TOGO.


Compliment of the season.


You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you dont know me
personally. I am Mrs. Lisa Nkomo the wife of late Dr.Williams Nkomo, who was
murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe.


I got your contact through the Togolaise chambers of commerce in my search
for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential
transaction that involves a transfer of a fund to a foreign account and I
decided to write you.


My late husband was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in
cold blood by the agents of the ruling government of President Robert Mugabe
for his alleged support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party
controlled by the entire minority.


Before his death he had taken me and my only son who is 18 years old to Lome
Togo as one of the most peaceful country in west Africa and also a tourist
country, to deposit the sum of US$15 MILLION (Fifteen million united states
dollars) with a security and finance company as if he foresaw the looming
danger in zimbabwe.


The money was packed in a trunk box as valuables/family treasure for
security reasons and deposited with a security company for safe keeping.This
money was embarked from the purchase of new machinery and chemical for farms
and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho, Swaziland.


This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land
act that wholly affected the rich white farmers and some few blacks
vehemently condemned the Modus Operandi adopted by the government. This
resulted to rampant killing and mod action by the war veterans and some
political thugs.Precisely, more than thirty one (31)people have so far been
killed. Heads of government from West, especially Britain and United States
of America have voiced their condemnation of Mugabes plan. Suddenly, Togo
Development Community(TDC) has continued to support the Mugabes new land
act,it is against this background that I and my family who are currently
residing in Lome Togo, West Africa have decided to transfer my husband money
into a foreign account.


I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking for a genuine foreign
account where this money could be transferred without the knowledge of my
government who are tactically freezing my husband wealth.


I am faced with the dilemma of investing this money in Togo for fear of
encountering the same experience in future since both countries have almost
the same political history. Moreover, the Togolaise foreign exchange policy
does not allow Assylum Seekers immediate investment chances hence I am
forced to look for an immediate alternative.


As a woman, I am entrusting my future and that of my family into your hands
hoping that you will not betray the trust, I must let you know that this
transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not
necessarily matter.


For your assistance, we are offering you 20% of the total sum, 75% for my
family while 5% will be mapped out for any expenses we may incure during the
course of this transaction.


We wish to invest our part of the money on commercial property based on your
advice.


Finally, all we need from you is assurance that you will not sit on this
money when it finally gets into your personal or company account in your
country.


If this proposal is acceptable by you, please confirm your interest via my
Private Email.


PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THE LINKS BELOW.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

Please provide me with the following details:


1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number
3. Your Contact Address.


Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.


Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Lisa Nkomo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam