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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• 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:
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Habib Sambo <mrsambo01@westanga.net>
Reply-To: habibsambo@hotmail.fr
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:13:28 +0000
Subject: From the Audits & Accounting department,

From the Audits & Accounting department,
Bank of Africa, Ouagadougou-Burkina Faso.

Attention: Dear Partner,

I am Mr.Habib Sambo the manager Audit & Accounting department in the
Bank of Africa (BOA) Ouagadougou-Burkina Faso, West Africa. I am
writing to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $4.7 Million
United States Dollars) into your bank accounts. The above sum belongs
to our deceased customer who died along with his entire family in a
Concorde plane crash and since then the fund has been dormant.

After my further investigation, I discovered that our late customer
died with his next of kin and according to the laws and constitution
guiding this banking institution stated that after the expiration of
(5) five years, if no body or person comes for the claim as the next
of kin, the fund will be channel into national treasury as unclaimed
fund. Because of the static of this transaction I want you to stand
as the next of kin so that our bank will approve the fund in your name
and transfer the fund into your nominated bank account.

The total sum will be shared as follows: 60% for me then 40% for you
and expenses incidental occur during the transfer will be incur by
both of us. The transfer is 100% risk free on both sides hence you are
going to follow my instruction till the fund will be transferred into
your account. More detail informations with the official bank
application form will be forwarded to you immediately you show your
willingness and capability of handling this transaction and also feel
free to contact me immediately for more clarifications if you are
really interested in my proposal.

My regards to your family,

Mr.Habib Sambo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam