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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:
  • "dear friend" (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)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: drjohn <drjohn@blackglobalnetwork.net>
Reply-To: mr_mark_collins3000@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 12:33:19 -0500
Subject: FROM: MR.MARK COLLINS


FROM: MR.MARK COLLINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR;
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
 
My Dear Friend,
 
I feel quite safe dealing with you in this mutual beneficail
transaction. Though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I
choose to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest,
surest and most secured medium of communication. However, this
correspondence is purely private, and it should be treated as such. I
also guarantee you that this deal is hitch free from all what you may
think of. I am MR.MARK COLLINS IFE, Executive Director incharge of
Claims and Indemnity of PRUDENTIAL Insurance Company. I am contacting
you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to this
deal for the benefit of both of us.
 
The Management and the Legal / Treasury Department of this PRUDENTIAL
Insurance Company in a recent meeting, recommended that the Assurance
Contract of MR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN, who maintained a Life Assurance
Policy,should be declared Dormant and confisticated hence moving his
unclaimed benefits funds to the Treasury. Recently, I came across a
very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person (MR. ROBERT
FINKELSTEIN). He is foreigner, unfortunately He is now late as he was
amongst those that died in the recent plane crash, as you can confirm
through this website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
 
This man was our client and has a Life Assurance Policy WORTH the sum
of Forty Five Million United States Dollars (US$45,000,000.00). Right
now, the fund is lying unclaimed in our custody and there is NO next
of kin mentioned in his file and there is NO HOW we can reach any of
his other relatives. All efforts made by us to establish contacts with
any other of his relation has proved abortive and unsuccessful. His
Life Assurance Policy will expire in the next few months from the date
of this letter.Just last week we received an instruction from Ministry
of Social Welfare to forward particulars of all unclaimed benefits
that will expire in the next few months.
 
Upon my personal finding on this matter, I kept this information
secret to myself until now that I am contacting you. In view of the
fact that the deceased customer is a foreigner (from a different
country), it is Officially important for the involvement of a
foreigner who will pose as a next-of-kin. I will use my exalted
position in this Insurance Company to present you as his Next of Kin
as you can be his relative, friend or Cousin and the Money
(US$45Million) will be Safely transfered into your own bank account in
your country. Please include your telephone/fax number/ Home Address
when replying this mail and I will give you more information as soon
as you indicate your willingness to assist in this viable transaction.
I will use my exalted position here to get all internal documentations
to back up theclaims. The whole Procedures will last only 5 working
days to get the fund retrieved successfully Without trace even in
future. Please I need the following:
 
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER
3. HOME ADDRESS/COMPANY'S NAME AND ADDRESS.
4. YOUR AGE AND OCCUPATION
 
The transaction will be done successfully and smoothly completed via
email and telephone. You don't need to come to my country. Send your
full name, address and telephone number to me via email urgently today
so that I will call you for discussions. I PROMISE that you must be
happy and shall rejoice greatly soonest for cooperation with me in
this transaction. After successful conclussion of this transaction, we
shall share the money 50-50 (50% for you and 50% for me).
 
I await your good response today. Thanks and remain blessed. I require
you to maintain the confidentiality of this transaction because it is
important due to the fact that I am still in active services tothe
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY. Your earliest response to this matter is
very important.
 
I AM WAITING YOUR REPLY TODAY.
 
Kind Regards,
 
MR.MARK COLLINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; PRUDENTIAL Insurance.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam