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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)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348025983197 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • mrjamessmith04@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "mrjamessmith03" <mrjamessmith03@interfel.com.br>
Reply-To: mrjamessmith04@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2006 07:58:44 -0300
Subject: BE THE NEXT OF KIN

From the Desk Of: Mr James Smith.
Standard trust bank Plc.
Plot 245 Adeolu Hope wall StreetVictoria Island
Lagos-Nigeria
Private Tel: +234-802-598-3197
Private Email:mrjamessmith04@yahoo.com

Dear Friend,

I am Mr James Smith, a Banker with Standard trust bank Plc,here in Nigeria.I am an account Officer to Late Engr.Anderson from your country, who used to work with Shell Oil Development Company in Nigeria.Here in after shall be referred to as my client on April 21, 2001, my client, his wife, and their two children were involved in a car accident along Lagos/Ibadan express way.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to my clients country's embass to locate any of his extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by Standard trust bank Plc where this huge deposit were lodged.

Particularly,Standard trust bank Plc where the deceased had an account valued at about US$25.5 Million has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the 6 weeks.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$25.5 Million can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. 60% to me, 40% to you.'

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 thatwill protect you from any breach of the law.

Please get in touch with me immediately as I do not have much time in my disposal.

Please enclose your private telephone number for easy communication.

Best Regards

Mr. James Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam