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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:
  • "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  • kingsley_smith@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: MR KINGSLEY <smithkingsley78@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: kingsley_smith@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 13:48:40 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY


ATTN: Dear Beloved,

With due respect, trust and humility I write this letter to you seeking your help and assistance though it is difficult since we have not met before. I got your contact from the Republic of India information Exchange {RIIE} regarding your business profile and sincerity; I believe that you are capable and reliable in handling this urgent international transaction of this sort.
For clarity, I am KINGSLEY SMITH, the son of COMRADE BORDER SMITH, the Zimbabwean former Minister for youth & Gender Equality who is also a businessman and politician in the Zimbabwean political arena. My father was the famous politician who stood firmly against President Mugabe’s idea of continuous fight in Democratic Republic of Congo and my father also stood against seizure of white farms and the distribution of it to the blacks without compensation to the owners. Because of my father sincerity he was killed on the 14th April 2001 by a planned motor accident along Mashonaland in Western Mashona province of Zimbabwe, the planners of the accident are said to be dissidents soldiers occurred suspected to have the backing of the government and president Mugabe. Sir, when this accident occurred at about 10:15am Zimbabwean time my father did not die on the spot rather he was rushed to Harare hospital by unknown soldiers and my father managed to sneak a written message to us, explaining his condition concerning one diplomatic box he concealed under the roof of his private bedroom containing US$76.5M {Seventy Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars} and other vital documents which was meant for his political campaign for the year 2002 election bid.
Regarding the unfortunate incident, he instructed me to take my brother and younger sister with the box and leave Zimbabwe immediately for our safety. I did according to his order and successfully lodge the Trunk box in a reliable and trustworthy security company who help to transfer it to Europe safely, via a diplomatic means. Be informed that the original documents of deposit are kept intact and shall be given to you with the particulars of the security company for confirmation.
Based on the country Law, which bears asylum seeker/refugee like us not to operate a bank account that exceed US$2000 and the fear of money now raising eyebrow here in India I decided to write you with the notion seeking your kind assistance to help collect the Trunk box on my behalf from the security company in Europe as the beneficiary and help lodge the funds in your nominated bank account for safety purpose. As all arrangement and logistics have been put in place.
I want to assure you also that this transaction is 100% risk free as no other person knows about this box apart from my younger brother and I. Sir, as for your reward towards the assistance we have agreed to give you 10% of the total fund, 5% for any expenses that might be incurred in the course of this transaction. We planned to invest the rest of the money in your country under your guidance on a lucrative business. If you are willing to help us try as much as possible to reach me with email address above to enable us proceed in earnest towards concluding all transaction. Please bear in mind that our lives depend on this fund and we do hope that this money will be safe when finally transferred into your account.

PLEASE RE-DIRECT YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS PRIVATE
E-MAIL BOX (kingsley_smith@hotmail.com).

Best Regard
Kingsley Smith.
NB:IGNORE THIS E-MAIL IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP
AND YOU CAN NOT HANDLE THIS LARGE OF AMOUNT.
THANK YOU.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam