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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:
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • zhanzhihong09cj@yahoo.com.hk
  • zhanhong2005@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Zhanzhi Hong <zhanzi_hong12@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 04:59:18 +0200
Subject: VERY URGENT

MR. ZHANZHI HONG
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
DES VOEUX RD. BRANCH,
CENTRAL HONG KONG,
HONK KONG.

Dear Sir/Ma,
Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Zhanzhi Hong credit officer of
the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an urgent and very confidential business
proposition for you.

I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much embarrassment by
contacting you through this means for a transaction of this magnitude,
but this is due to confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium,
sorry my English is not very good. Furthermore, due to this issue on my hands
now, it became necessary for me to seek your assistance, and it is imperative
for me to know your opinion.

On April 6 ,1999, an American Oil consultant/contractor with the Chinese
Petroleum and Chemical corporation Mr. Richard Nault made a numbered
time(Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$30,000,000.00
(Thirty Million Dollars only) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month,
we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers,
the Hong Kong Petroleum and Chemical Corporation that Mr. Richard
Nault died from an automobile accident.

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL
and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Richard Nault
did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including
his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$30,000,000.00
is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the
principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward
to claim it. According to Laws of Hong Kong, at the expiration of 5(five)
years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong
Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Richard Nault so that the fruits
of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt
government officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names
and addressso that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents
and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and
notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents
and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.
The money will be paid into your account for us to share
in the ratio of 70% for me and 25% for you and 5% for Expenses
Incurred in the course of the transaction.


There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will
be done by the attorney and with my position as the credit officer
guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details
and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.

You should observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that
this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because
I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks and regards.
Mr. Zhanzhi Hong

If you are really interested in doing this business with me please
reply immediately via my most confidential email address:
zhanzhihong09cj@yahoo.com.hk or zhanhong2005@netscape.net with
your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy communication.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam