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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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 deposit" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: steve_kani111@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2006 17:07:10 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS TRANSACTION

BUSINESS PROPOSAL
ATT:SIR/MA

I am Mr Steven Kani, the personal accounting officer to Mr. Smith B Andreas, a geologist, who lived and worked with Kruger Gold Mining Company Pty here in South Africa. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 7th of February 2005, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a ghastly car accident along N1 Pretoria highway road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your country’s embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, but this has proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his surname over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged. Particularly, the Amalgamated bank Of South Africa where the deceased had an account valued at about $8.5 million dollars has issued me a notice as his accounting officer to provide his next of kin or have the account confiscated within the twenty one (21)official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a year now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same surname with him, so that the proceeds of this account valued at $8.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of law.

Thanks and God Bless

Best Regards.
Mr Steven Kani

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam