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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states dollars" (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)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  • jeomoyeni@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Jeremiah Omoyeni" <bob_manuel01@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: jeomoyeni@myway.com
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2006 01:28:06 +0000
Subject: Request for Assistance

Chief Jeremiah Omoyeni
Wema Bank Plc.
54 Marina Street,Lagos-Nigeria

Dear Sir,

I am Chief Jeremiah Adebisi Omoyeni,Director of Foreign Operations
Department Wema Bank Plc,Marina Branch Lagos.I have an urgent and a very
confidential business proposition for you.Mr Anthony Wegner an American
National and an oil Merchant with the Federal Ministry of petroleum in
Nigeria here made a numbered time( Fixed )deposit for twelve calender months
valued at US$25,000,000.00( Twenty Five Million United States Dollars )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
employees,Shell Petroleum Development Corporation that Mr.Anthony Wegner
died from an automobile accident.On further investigation,I found out that
he did not leave a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of Kin were
fruitless.I therefore made further investigation and discovered that
Mr.Anthony Wegner did not declare any next of Kin in all his official
documents,including his Bank fixed Deposit Documents.This sum of
US$25,000,000,00 is still sitting in the Bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of every year.

No one has come forward to claim it.According to the Nigerian Law,at the
expiration of 6(Six)years,the money will revert to the ownership of the
Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.Consequently my
proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of
Kin to Mr. Anthony Wegner so that the fruits of this old man's labour will
not get into the treasury of the Federal government of Nigeria.This is
simple:

( 1 ) We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and
notarization of the WILL and obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favour for the transfer of the funds into
your account.
( 2 ) I will like you to provide me immediately with your full names,address
and your direct tel/fax numbers so that the attorney will prepare the
necessary documents and affidavits,which will put you in place as the next
of Kin.
( 3 ) A bank account in any part of the world,which you provide will then
facilitate the transfer of this money into your account as the
beneficiary/next of Kin of Mr. Anthony Wegner.The money will be paid into
your account for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 30% for you and
then 10% will be set aside for any expenses that may occur during the
transfer process .

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and my position as the Foreign Operations Department
Director guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.If you are
interested,please reply immediately via my alternative email address
jeomoyeni@myway.com

Upon your response I shall then provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand and claim this money on my
behalf.Please observe utmost confidentiality,and rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall need
your assistance to invest my share in your country under your custody.

Awaiting your urgent reply and meanwhile,thanks and God bless

Yours Faithfully,

Chief Jeremiah Omoyeni

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam