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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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Shareef Diya al din <shareef_diyaaldin04@yahoo.se>
Reply-To: shareef_diyaaldin@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 23:37:46 +0100 (CET)
Subject: PERSONAL INFORMATION PLEASE


FROM MR. SHAREEF DIYA AL DIN .
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT,
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT,
TRADE BANK PLC,
ABUJA.

Attn;
I am Mr. Shareef, the head of auditing and accounting section of Trade Bank Plc, Abuja, 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 2004 in Tsunami that happened in Sumatra island, Indonesia.
>From the information that our bank have gotten so far, the Tsunami killed him with his entire family and none of his relatives has been identified.
The person that he used as his next of kin was his 17 year old son who died
along side with the family.
Although personally, I kept this information secret within myself to enable
the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful during the time of
execution. The said amount is Nine million, five hundred United States Dollars (U.S$9.5Million).

You are Required to:
(1) Assist me in the transfer of the said fund into your account.
(2) Advise me on lucrative areas for investment in your country.
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 me and also benefit yourself to this great business opportunity.
I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 35% 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, while 55% will be for me. Please, you have been adviced to keep it as a "top secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal with you. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible for further information.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Shareef Diya al Din.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam