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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • rrclarkson300@yahoo.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: <robertclarkson@tutopia.com.br>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:03:51 -0500
Subject: Hello:Friend

Equatorial Trust Bank.
>From the Desk Of: Mr Robert Clarkson.
Private Email: rrclarkson300@yahoo.com.br

Dear Friend,

I am Mr Robert Clarkson, a Banker with Equatorial Trust Bank ,here in Nigeria.I am the account Officer to Engr.Mark 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 April 21st, 1999, 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 embassy 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  where this huge deposit were lodged. Particularly,Equatorial Trust Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$14.7 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 5 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$14.7 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 me immediately as I do not have much time in my disposal.

Please enclose your private telephone number for easy communication.

Best Regards
Mr Robert Clarkson.

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam