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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:
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: suzan martins <suzanmartins05@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:53:15 +0000
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU .



Dear Sir/Madam,

This mail may come to you as a surprise base on the fact that, we have not met .I got your contact from a directory in search for a reliable personality that could understand our situation to help us. I am a Zimbabwe citizen presently taking refugee in GHANA. Due to crises in my country coupled with the assassination of my late Husband MR.ERIC MARTINS who was killed by PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE war veteran association who are calling for the white collection of farm land from all white settlers which is wrong.

My HUSBAND due to his stand over these issues fell out with the ruling party of PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE. Now myself and my kids had to flee from our country to find refuge here in GHANA. Before the death of my Husband he was a major dealer of Diamond and Merchandise .He secretly moved these funds acquired from various sales in a trunk-box and deposited it in a security deposit company in Ghana. But at the time of deposit he told the security company that it is family valuables that are contained in the 2trunkboxes. The total amount contained in the boxes is $6.7 MILLION USD. unknowingly to the security company. We need a trust worthy and experience person that will help us to invest this money in your country and take us as one family and will also buy a house for us over there where we can live safely.

We are prepared to give you 25% of the money for that assistance. We are expecting to hear from you. waiting you for your anticipated cooperation. Please in your reply include your Telephone number and Fax number. YOU CAN READ FROM THE WEBSITE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE.
http://www.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/africa/05/03/zimbabwe.01/index.html

Best Regards,
SUZAN MARTINS
FOR THE FAMILY.
Email: suzanmartins@f-mail.net

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam