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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: raymond okafor <ray_okafor@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 01:14:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: urgent


Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Raymond Okafor, Opeations Officer of the Marina branch of a commecial bank in Lagos Nigeria.
Due to the recent Central Bank of Nigeria recapitalization programme, we acquied Forum Savings and Loan Limited. I have uncovered a dormant account belonging to Mr William Wertz, a businessman who had an account with the defunct bank. On the 21st of April 2001, this late customer was involved in a road accident. All passengers of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
I am contacting you to assist in claiming the money left behind by the late customer before it is declared unserviceable by our bank where this huge deposit was lodged. The deceased had an account valued at $7.526,000 dollars. A notice has been issued for a next of kin of the late customer to come and claim the fund or have the account frozen within the next one month.
Since the defunct Forum Savings and Loan Limited were been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin so that the proceeds of this account valued at $7.526,000 dollars can be paid to you.
If you agree,we can discuss what percentage to pay you. All necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make will be procured in making this claim. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
I anticipate a favourable response.
Best regards,
Raymond Okafor

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam