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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "DR.PATRICK WAZIRI" <barmanagernkem@msn.com>
Reply-To: drpatrickwaziri@myway.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 14:00:40 +0000
Subject: Dr. PATRICK WAZIRI.

FROM : Dr. PATRICK WAZIRI.
MANAGER
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY.

Dear Sir/Madam

I feel quite safe dealing with you in this mutual beneficail
transaction. Though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I
choose
to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest, surest and
most secured
medium of communication. However, this correspondence is purely private, and
it
should be treated as such. I also guarantee you that this deal is hitch free
from all what you may think of. I am PATRICK WAZIRI The MANAGER incharge of
Claims and Indemnity of PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY.

I am contacting you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached
to this deal for the benefit of both of us.The Management and the Legal /
Treasury Department of this PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY in a recent
meeting, recommended that the account of MR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN, who
maintained a Life Assurance Policy, should be declared Dormant and
confisticated hence moving his unclaimed benefits funds to the Treasury
according to our Banking and Financial law. Recently, I came across a very
huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person (MR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN).
He is foreigner,unfortunately He is now late as he was amongst those that
was Killed in the recent plane crash during his visit to London, as you can
confirm through this website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

This man was our client and has a Life Assurance Policy WORTH the sum of
Forty Five Million United States Dollars (US$45,000,000.00). Right now, the
fund is lying unclaimed in the BANK and there is NO next of kin mentioned in
his file and there is NO HOW we can reach any of his other relatives.

All efforts made by us to establish contacts with any other of his relation
has proved abortive and unsuccessful. His Life Assurance Policy will expire
in the next few months from the date of this letter. Just last week we
received an instruction from Ministry of Social Welfare to forward
particulars of all unclaimed benefits that will expire in the next few
months. Upon my personal finding on this matter, I kept this information
secret to myself until now that I am contacting you.

In view of the fact that the deceased customer is a foreigner (from a
different country), it is Officially important for the involvement of a
foreigner who will pose as a NEXT-OF-KIN. I will use my exalted position in
this Insurance Company to present you as his Next of Kin as you can be his
relative, friend or Cousin and the Money (US$45Million) will be Safely
transfered into your own bank account in your country. Please include your
telephone/fax number/ Home Address when replying this mail and I will give
you more information as soon as you indicate your willingness to assist in
this viable transaction.I will use my exalted position here to get all
internal documentations to back up the claims. The whole Procedures will
last only 5 working days to get the fund retrieved successfully Without
trace even in future. Please I need the following:

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER
3. HOME ADDRESS/COMPANY'S NAME AND ADDRESS.
4. YOUR AGE AND OCCUPATION

The transaction will be done successfully and smoothly completed via email
and telephone. You don't need to come to my country. Send your full name,
address and telephone number to me via email urgently today so that I will
call you for discussions. I PROMISE that you must be happy and shall rejoice
greatly soonest for cooperation with me in this transaction. After
successful conclussion of this transaction, we shall share the money 60-40
(40% for you and 60% for me). I await your good response today.

Thanks and remain blessed. I require you to maintain the confidentiality of
this transaction because it is important due to the fact that I am still in
active services to the PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY. Your earliest response
to this matter is very important.
.
Sincerly,
PATRICK WAZIRIMANAGER;
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam