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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 11:41:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED


FROM THE DESK OF MR.FRANK=20
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTANT DEPARTMENT.=20
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL
BANK.=20
GHANA LIMITED.=20



Urgent Attention Friend.

I
have a proposal for you - this however is not mandatory nor will I in
any manner compel you to honor against your will. I am 50, and work
with a bank (one of the African leading banks in the West
Coast). Here in
this bank existed a dormant
account for the past 8 years which belong to a American national who is no=
w late Dr. H. Paul Jacobi=A0.who died on Egypt Air
Flight
http:www.1global1.users2.50megs.com/intl.html
=A0
When I discovered that
there had been no deposits nor with drawals from this account for this
long period, I decided to carry out a system investigation and
discovered that non of the family member nor relations of the late
person is aware of this account.=20
=A0
This is the story in a nutshell.=20

Now
I want an account overseas where the bank will transfer this
funds.Thereafter, I had planned to destroy all related documents for
this account. It is a careful network and for the past=A0one year=A0I have
worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation. The
amount is not so much at the moment and plus all the accumulated
interest the balance in this account stands at-(US$ 11.3 million US
dollars).=20

=A0
Now our questions are:-=20

1. Can you handle this project?=20
2. Can I give you this trust?=20
3. What will be your commission? If you can sponsor this transfer.=20
Consider this and get back=A0to=A0me as soon as possible.=20
Finally,
it is our humble prayer that the information as contained herein be
accorded the necessary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it
deserves.
I Expect your urgent response if you can handle this project. send a mail f=
or confirmation.=20
=A0
Respectfully yours.=20
=A0
Mr. Frank Joseph Ezike

Tel...+233 272 738 088.

Fax..+233 214 122 22. =0A=0A=0A

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam