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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ahmed Moustapha" <mmamadas3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: m_amadas@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:16:33 +0000
Subject: I am looking forward to hear from you


Dear Sir,
May the blessing of God be upon you and grant you the wisdom and
sympathy to understand my situation and how much I need your help.
I am Ahmed Moustapha the first son of col.Abubakar Moustapha, former
national
security adviser to the ousted Sierra Leone military head of state, Paul
Koroma. I am writing to express my interest in real estate or landed
properties in your country. Though my father died in detention a couple of
months ago while been detained by the new government. Before his untimely
death, he instructed me to leave the country for my safety and start up a
business somewhere out side
Africa. He reviewed to me of a deposit of one diplomatic box which he
concealed
with one of the private security company here in Dakar containing US$5.5M
(Five million, five hundred thousand united states dollars) declared as
family
valuables.
Actually, I have never met you before, it was a friend of my fathers
who happened to be present at his burial that advised me to consider your
country for my investments. After due consideration, I started searching the
web side where I got your email address. No one else is aware of my proposal
to you. Due to social, economic and political instability in west African
region, I decided to seek your assistance in transferring this money to your
position for investment purposes. I have all the vital documents that covers
the deposit which could be faxed to you upon request.
Please note that Transaction of this nature demands the highest trust and
confidence between both parties.
For your assistance in this transfer, I have decided to give you 20% of the
total sum involved and I will also compensate you with 5% for the
inconveniences and for expenses that we may in cure during the process.
Your acceptance of this proposal or otherwise should please be communicated
through my E-mail.

Your quick response will be appreciated.
However, if you are not disposed to assist, kindly destroy this letter to
protect the identity and confidentiality of the parties involved.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenient time.
Yours Sincerely,
Ahmed Moustapha.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam