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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:
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (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.
  • haiouzhu1@yahoo.com.sg

Fraud email example:

From: "Haiou Zhu" <hazhu1@msn.com>
Reply-To: haiouzhu1@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 13:05:55 +0000
Subject: FROM MR HAIOU

MR.HAIOU ZHU
AFC MERCHANT BANK
# 17-01,BANGKOK BANK BUILDING,
SINGAPORE 069546.
Email:(haiouzhu1@yahoo.com.sg)
 
Dear Sir,
Compliments of the day!
I got your contact on my private search for a reliable and trusted
person to handle a transaction of this nature. I know that
the contents of this mail might sound so strange, but I want to assure
you that every word of it is true.
 
I am Mr.Haiou Zhu, credit officer of the AFC Merchant Bank.I have a concealed business suggestion for you.Before his untimely death in a small plane crash in central Wyoming  Unites State, Mr Alfred Terry Sutley, also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Nine Million,Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch.You can visit this website:
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/10/07/national/c03100705_01.txt
 
After his death it was also discovered that Alfred Terry Sutley did not
declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper
work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he
was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank.So, NineMillion,Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars is still lying in my
bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it.
 
What bothers me most is that according to the to the laws of Singapore,
at the expiration two years the funds will revert to the ownership of
the Singapore Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.Against this
backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner
to stand as the next of kin to Mr Alfred Terry Sutley so that you will be able to
receive his funds.
 
WHAT IS TO BE DONE:
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we
shall come out successful.I have contacted an attorney that will
prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Mr Alfred Terry Sutley,all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.After you have been made the next of kin,the attorney will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be provided by you.There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
 
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning
this issue.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall share in the ratio of 70% for me, 25% for you and 5%for any expenses incurred during the course of this operation.Should you be
interested please send me your Name,Residential address, private phone and fax numbers for easy communication, you can write me via my private box thus:(haiouzhu1@yahoo.com.sg) and i will provide you with more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
 
Kind Regards,
Mr.HAIOU ZHU.

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam