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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:
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Jacob Gambi" <jacob_gambi@msn.com>
Reply-To: gambijacob@o2.pl
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 21:00:37 +0000
Subject: Urgent assistant

FROM MR GAMBI JACOB
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT,
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
FINANCIAL BANK OF AFRICA
BENIN REPUBLIC COTONOU
IN WEST AFRICA.


Good Day,

I am Mr Gambi Jacob the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Financial bank cotonou benin republic in west Africa with due
respect and regard. I have decided to contact you on a business transaction
that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.

During our investigation and auditing in this bank,my department came across
a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on 26th
December 1998 on Airline Transafrik International with aircraft Lockheed
L-100-30 at location Vila Nova, Angola with registration number S9-CAO while
travelling with his entire family of his wife, 2 children and a maid on a
festive visit to Angolaand since his untimely death the funds has been
dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our
custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this
development.

Although personally,i keep this information secret within myself and
partners to enable the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful
during the time of execution.The said amount was (Nine million Five Hundred
Thousand united states dollars).

As it may interest you to know,i got your impressive information through my
good friends who works with chamber of commerce on foreign business
relations here in Cotonou-Benin.It is him who recommended your person to me
to be viable and capable to champion a business of such magnitude without
any problem.

Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit yourself to this
great business opportunity.

In fact i could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant,we are not allowed to operate a foreign account
and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because i work in this bank.This is the actual reason why it will
require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin
to the Bank and also present a foreign account where he/she will need the
money to be re-transferred into on his request as it may be after due
verification and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where
the whole money will be remitted from to your own designated bank account.

May i at this point emphasize that this transaction is 100% risk free as i
have made arrangements for a successful arrangement as an insider of the
bank before contacting you.On smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will
be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification,while 10% will be set
aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer
and also telephone bills,my travel ticket to come over to your country for
the sharing of the fund while 60% will be for me and my partner.

Please,you have been adviced to keep this a top secret as we are still in
service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with
you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account and ask us to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment,either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in.

All other necessary information will be sent to you on your acceptance to
champion this transaction with me.i suggest you get back to me as soon as
possible stating your wish in this deal.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr Gambi Jacob

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam