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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 deposit" (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)
• 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.
  • smpaul_11@yahoo.dk

Fraud email example:

From: "paul smith" <paulsmith172@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 19:05:42 +0000
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE

Greetings,

I am Mr Paul Smith, the personal accounting officer to a national of your
country, who worked with shelldevelopment company in West Africa. Here
in after shall be referred toas my client.

On the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife And their three children were
involved in a car accident along sagbama express road. All occupants of the
vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several
enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended
relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.

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

I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and propertyleft
behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly,the EcoBank International, where the deceased had an account
valued at about 7.5million dollars has issued me a notice as his accounting
officer to provide the next of kin or have the account confisicated within
the next ten official working days.

since i have been unsuccesfull in
locating the relatives for over 1 years now i seek your consent to present
you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same
surname so that the proceeds of this account valued at 7.5million dollars
can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim
we may make. 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.

Send me the following information :
1,Your Full names :
2, Your Private secured telephone number:
3,Your occupation :
4, Your Office address or home address :

Thanks and God Bless

Best Regards.

MR PAUL SMITH
Email:smpaul_11@yahoo.dk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam