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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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Fraud email example:

From: "THOMAS R. GOOD" <thomasrgood@thomasrgood.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 05:59:23 +0000
Subject: Your Reply Means Alot.

FROM: THOMAS GOODWILL,
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION,
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT,
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC.

Good Day

I am THOMAS GOODWILL; I am an Accountant with
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. I am the personal Account Manager to a citizen of
your country Mr.MICHAEL, who used to work with the Shell Petroleum
Development Company in Nigeria.

On April 21, 2001, Engr.MICHAEL (hereafter referred to as my client), his
wife, and their three children were involved in a car crash. A occupants of
the car unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my
client's extended family, but my efforts so far have been unsuccessful.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over
the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by
the bank where these huge deposits were lodged, particularly the
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC, Where the
deceased had an account Valued at about ($15.435 million US
Dollars).

The INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC has issued me a notice to provide the next of
kin or have the account reverted to Bank ownership within the next twenty
official working days, this is in line with Nigeria's Banking Laws and the
Rules governing the Banking and Finance Sectors which stipulate that if
after a period of thirty-six months there is no claimant or next of kin
presented for the funds of a deceased account holder, ownership of such
funds revert to the Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for
almost three years now, I seek your consent to present you
as the next of kin of the deceased so that this account valued at ($15.435
million USD) can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.

All the necessary documents concerning this claim are with the Bank's legal
department. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please get in touch with me by replying my email as soon as possible, as I
have just twenty working days in which to lodge a claim for the funds on
behalf of my client's next of kin. You could include your phone number if
you prefer oral communication.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Best regards,

THOMAS GOODWILL.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam