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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: martinstobi007@zipmail.com.br
Date: Fri, 5 May 2006 17:08:52 -0700
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?QUICK=20RESPONSE=20NEEDED?=

FROM THE DESK OF
DIRECTOR TOBI MARTINS
NO 52 STREET MARINA
LAGOS ISLAND

DEAR FRIEND

It is indeed my pleasure to write to you this letter, which I believe will
be a suprise, as we are both complete strangers. I am Mr Tobi Martins a
Director with UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC. I was the account officer of my
late client, a national of your country, who used to work with the Nigerian
Mining Corperation.On the 23st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their
only son were involved in a car accident along sagbama express road. All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of
my clients ! extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After
these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over
the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I
have contacted you to assist in repatriating the balance of his account
valued at US$25.5million left behind by my client before they get
confiscated or declared unserviceable by the share holders of this bank,so
that they can share his funds as dividends amongst themselves.

The said Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have
the
account confiscated within the next fourteen official working days.Because
as at the time of his demise I was his accountng officer, but have since
been promoted to the position of a Director, ever since I have been
unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your
consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have
the same last names, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to
you.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the
sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information
and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from
you
is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through.I
guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law.

When you receive this letter Kindly send an e-mail, signifying your
decision.Including The Following Information.

1)YOUR FULL NAME
2)YOUR HOME ADDRESS
3)YOUR ACCOUNT WHICH THE FUND WILL BE REMMITTED INTO
4)YOUR PRIVATE NUMBER MOBILE/FAX

I am waiting to hear from you soon

Best regards,
Mr.Tobi Martins

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam