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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348025668005 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • yusufadams010@yahoo.se

Fraud email example:

From: "yusuf Adams" <yusufadams010@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 11:45:03 +0000
Subject: Dear Ruth

Equitorial Trust Bank Plc.
From the Desk Of: Mr Yusuf Adams.
Phone Number: +234-802-566-8005.
Private Email: yusufadams010@yahoo.se

Dear Ruth,

I am Mr Yusuf Adams, a Banker with Equitorial Trust Bank Plc,here in
Nigeria.Iam an account Officer to Engr.Renold Ruth from your country, who
used to work with Shell Oil Development Company in Nigeria.Here in after
shall be referred to as my client on November 21, 2000, my client, his wife,
and their two children were involved in a car accident along Lagos/Ibadan
express way.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to my clients country's embass to
locate any of his extended relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I have contacted you
to assist in repatriating the money before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by Equitorial Trust Bank Plc where this huge deposit were
lodged. Particularly,Equitorial Trust Bank Plc where the deceased had an
account valued at about US$16.311 Million has issued me a notice to provide
the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the 6
weeks.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$16.311 Million can be paid
to you and then you and I can share the money. 60% to me, 40% to you.

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 thatwill protect you from any breach of the law.Please get in
touch with meimmediately as I do not have much time in my disposal.

Please enclose your private telephone number for easy communication.

Best Regards

Mr. Yusuf Adams.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam