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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)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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.
  • ecobankngplc@myway.com
  • drtnd_williams01@yahoo.gr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "tunde williams" <tund.williams45@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: drtnd_williams1@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 07:35:08 +0000
Subject: FROM ECOBANK

FROM Dr.Tunde Williams.
OPERATION MANAGER.
Ecobank Plc.
Email:ecobankngplc@myway.com
Swift: ECOCBJJ
Telex : 539 ECOBNK

Dear Friend,

I know this message will come to you as a surprise since we do not know each
other before, but for the purpose of introduction, I am Dr.Tunde Williams,
Operations manager,ECOBANK PLC Lagos Nigeria.There is an account opened in
this bank in 1990. After going through some old files in the records, I
discovered that nobody has operated in this account since 1993.

>From our records, the owner of this account is Mr. Smith B. Andrea {a
foreigner, a miner at Kruger Gold. Co. and a geologist by profession}. After
several notifications as a routine to the address of this distinguished
customer of ours, his employees told our management that Mr. Smith B. Andrea
died when a Kenyan Airways plane crashed along the coast of West Africa in
1993.

My investigation proved to me that no other person knows about this account
or anything concerned it, the company does not know anything about this
account as well, the account has no beneficiary. This account presently
accommodates an amount involving $18 MILLION United State Dollars. With all
due respect, I am contacting you because of my need to involve a reliable
foreign beneficiary with a foreign account, who will coordinate this
transaction. I would like you to assist me and claim these funds to your
account.

In the recent meeting held by the Board of Directors of our bank, who
deliberated on the issue of unclaimed funds in our bank, and thereafter they
the motion as contained in the article 13 (b) sub-section (iv) of the
minutes of the BOD's meeting. I need your full co-operation to make this
transaction successful to any foreign party who has correct information
regarding this account. Which I will transfer to you immediately if you are
capable and willing to handle the amount in question with confidence and
trust according to my instructions and advice for our mutual benefit. This
is a life time opportunity I wish to share with you.

I need a trustworthy person do to the nature of the business transaction, I
need your assurance of discretion. I assure you that with my present
position in the office I am able to transfer this money to foreign account
of which you can provide assurance that this money will be safe and well
guided pending my arrival in your country for distribution.

I will destroy all documentation of this transaction at my office
immediately after the transfer thus leaving no trace to any place. I will
use my position and influence to guarantee legal approvals and transfer of
this money to your account with the appropriate clearance forms according to
the ministry for foreign exchange. You can also come down to discuss with
me face to face after which I will make the remittance in your presence and
two of us will fly to your country for withdrawal, sharing and other
investment plans.

Please reply quickly so I will inform you the next steps to relinquish these
funds immediately. Send also your private telephone and fax numbers,Age and
Occupation, Bank Account details (Name of Bank, Address, A/C Name etc). I
wish to meet you in person so that we can conclude this transaction and
sign a binding agreement ensuring that we may share equally the for
mentioned monies that are being placed in the account of your choice.

At the conclusion of this business you will receive 20% of the total
amount,80% will be for me. I look forward to your earliest reply through my
Private email address as I stated below.

e-mail:drtnd_williams01@yahoo.gr

Yours Truly

Dr.Tunde Williams.
(Operations Manager) Ecobank Plc.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam