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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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.

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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • wilcrest2005@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Wilcrest Richard" <wilcrest2005@msn.com>
Reply-To: wilcrest2005@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 15:20:55 +0000
Subject: Please get me informed

ATTN:

REQUEST FOR URGENT CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL OF
$35,000,000.00

I am Wilcrest Richard, the Director in charge of Auditing
and Accounting section of Ghana Commercial Bank in
West Africa and also Chairman of Investigating and
Auditing Department of this Bank. With due respect,
and regard I have decided to contact you on a Business
Transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us
and our families.

During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my
department came across a very huge sum of money
belonging to one Mr. Andreas Schranner a 64 years old
German property magnate, who died alongside with his
wife Maria, 62, their daughter Andrea Eich, 38, her husband
Christian, 57, and their children Katharina, eight, and
Maximilian, 10, all perished in the jet on Monday, 31 July,
2000 in a AF4590 plane crash Overseas and the fund has
been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim
of the fund in our custody since there was no surviving family
of his and he did not indicate any next of kin to this account
incase of death such as this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Although personally, I keep this information secret
within myself and partners to enable the whole plans
and idea be profitable and successful during the time
of execution. The said amount is U.S $35m(Thirty Five
Million United States Dollars). As it may interest you
to know, I got your impressive information through one
of my good friends who works with Chamber of Commerce
on foreign business relations here in Accra-Ghana. It
is him who recommended your person to me to be viable
and capable to champion a business of such magnitude
without any problem.

Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this bank, and the
Director of Auditing and Accounting, I have in my
possession all the necessary documents to perfect this
deal by making you the bonafide next of kin whom this
money will be transferred into his account. I need
your assistance and co-operation to get this deal
done. Because as a foreigner, you stand a better
position to be presented through documentation as the
next of kin since the deceased is also a foreigner,
this is the reason why I could not do this deal alone
as a Ghanian and a Blackman as well.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is
100% risk free. On smooth conclusion of this
transaction, you will be entitled to 35% of the total
sum as gratification, while 1% will be set aside to
take care of expenses that may arise during the time
of transfer and also telephone bills, while 64% will
be for me and my partners. Please, you have been
advised to keep "Top Secret" as we are still in
service and intend to retire from service after we
conclude this deal with you. And I assure you that
this transaction will not last more than 10 working
days and you confirm the money in your account.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this
bank until you confirm the money in your account. And
ask us to come down to your country for subsequent
sharing of the fund according to percentages
previously indicated and further investment, either in
your country or any country you advice us to invest
in. All other necessary vital information will be sent
to you when I hear from you.

I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible
stating your wish in this deal. I am expecting your
urgent reply as soon as you receive this message.
Yours faithfully, All further emails should be directed to:
(wilcrest2005@yahoo.co.uk)

Mr. Wilcrest Richard


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam