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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • jomens004@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: John Menssah <jomens004@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jomens1@fastermail.com
Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 17:05:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: jomens004@yahoo.com

FROM THE DESK OF MR.JOHN MENSSAH,

AUDITING DEPARTMENT AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK LOME-TOGO.


Dear friend,


I have a proposal for you - this however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against your wish. I am 50, and work with the above mentioned bank. Here in this bank existed a dormant account for the past 6 years which belongs to an American national who is now late Mr.Raymond Beck and his wife, Mrs. Dorene Beck who were among the victims of EgyptAir Flight 990 that crashed on the 31th day of October in 1999. Please check site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/501405.stm


When I discovered that there had been no deposits nor withdrawals from this account for this long period, I decided to carry out a system investigation and discovered that non of the family member nor relations of the late person is aware of this account. This is the story in a nutshell. Now I want an account overseas where the bank will transfer this funds.Thereafter, I had planned to destroy all related documents for this account. It is a careful network and for the past eleven months I have worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation.


The amount is not so much at the moment and plus all the accumulated interest the balance in this account stands at-(US$ 14.5 million US dollars).


If you can sponsor this transfer. Consider this and get back at us as soon as possible.Finally, it is our humble prayer that the information as contained here in be accorded the necessary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves.


I Expect your urgent response.


Mr.John Menssah




- John Menssah

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam