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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)
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348037469088 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "nwokigbo nwa" <nwokigbo@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 14:57:12 +0100
Subject: Re. Urgent....

MANAGER/CEO,

STANDARD TRUST BANK,
LAGOS T.HOUSE BRANCH,
LAGOS, NIGERIA.
PHONE:- +2348037469088
Dear Freind

I am DR SMITH BELLO the Manager of Standard Trust Bank (STB) NIGERIA.I have
a urgent and very confidential business proposition that we must do
together. On November 2003,an American oil consultant/contractor with the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,Mr.PETER SHAW made a numbered time
(Fixed) deposited for twelve calendar months, valued at US$15,000,000.00
(fifteen Million 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 employers, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that
Mr.PETER SHAW 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 werefruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered
that Mr. PETER SHAW did not declare any next of kin in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paper work.

This sum of US$15,000,000.00 is still sitting in the Bank and the interest
is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one
will comeforward to claim it. According to the Nigerian Law, at the
expiration of 15 (fifteen) years, the money will revert to the ownership of
the Nigerian Government and the bank 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. PETER SHAW so that the fruits of this old
man’s labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide me immediately with your full
names and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents
and affidavits, which will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall
employ the service of an attorney for Drafting and notarization of the WILL
and obtain the Necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in
your favor the transfer. A bank account in any part of the world, which you
provide, will then facilitate the transfer of
this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid
into your account for us to share in the ratio of 75% for me and 20% for
you, while 5% for the Expenses incurred during the cost of this transfer.

There is no risk at all as all the paper work for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction. please reply immediately Upon your
response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents
that will help you understand. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and
rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us
because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.
Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks.

Dr Smith Bello.
Manager.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam