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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • fadoul_2000@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Fadoul Adamu <fadoul_2000@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 04:40:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PRIORITY


FROM THE DESK OF: MR FADOUL ADAMU,
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION,
ECOBANK BENIN,COTONOU.
BENIN REPUBLIC,WEST AFRICA.
E-MAIL:fadoul_2000@yahoo.com

Dear Friend,
(TOP SECRET)
I am FADOUL ADAMU,the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Ecobank Benin,COTONOU,BENIN REPUBLIC 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 DECEMBER 26th 2003 in a plane
crash(http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/) and the
fund 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.
The said amount was U.S $19.2M (nineteen million two hundred United
States dollars). As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive
information through the Benin chamber of commerce on foreign business
relations here in COTONOU,BENIN REPUBLIC.
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
your self 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(A Banker),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 with affidavit of trust of oath to the Bank
and also present a foreign account where he 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 designation bank account.
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 30%
of the total sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to take
care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also
telephone bills, while 65% will be for me and my partners. Please,you have been
adviced to keep "top secret" as I am 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 me 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 vital
information
will be sent to you when I hear from you.
Yours faithfully,
MR FADOUL ADAMU.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam