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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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • director_uts@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: Dean Ama <dean@amadean.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 17:35:28 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: COMPLIMENTS


From: Dr. Dean Ama
Union Trust and Securities.
12 Alpha Crescent,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Nigeria.
director_uts@myway.com

Dear Friend,
I wish to use this medium to get in touch with you, I am Dr.Dean Ama,the
Director of Foreign Operations (UTS) Union Trust & Securities -
West Africa. I am writing in respect of one of our foreign customers in my
Mr. Arthur Smith of America with account number UTS-000143386-99,
who perished in a plane crash of 31st October 1999 (With Egyptian
Airlinen 990) with other passengers aboard. Since the demise of Mr. Smith,
I personally have watched with keen interest to see the next-of-kin, but all
has proved abortive as no one has come to claim his funds of USD $ 4.3 million
(Four MillionThree Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)with our firm here
for a very long time.
On this note I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as the
next-of-kin, as no one has come-up to put a claim as the next-of-kin to
this fund and the Banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay
more than eight (8) years, because after eight (8) years the money will be
called back to the bank,s treasury as unclaimed bill. In view of this i got
your contact While on a private research on the internet for a reliable and
capable foreign partner who will be willing to involve
in a confidential transaction with me.
The request for a foreigner as a next-of-kin in this business is
occasioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner and a nigerian cannot stand as the next-of-kin to him.
I have agreed to share this money with you in the mutual understanding
of 70%/30%. You keep 30% while I keep70%, how about that? thereafter I
will visit your country for our percentage disbursement as i am almost
due for retirement.
I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is 100%
hitch-free and that you should not entertain any fear as the whole required
arrangement has been perfected for the transfer.
You should contact me as a matter of fact immediately.
Hoping to hear from you.
Please, you are advised to keep this transaction top secret, as I am
still in service and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal
with you. I will be monitoring the whole situation here in the Bank until
you confirm the money is in your account. I can only come down to your
country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to the percentages
previously indicated and further discussion on investment, either in your
country or any country you advise us to invest.
Be informed that this transaction will take us few days. I will ensure
that there will be no hitch of any sort. By virtue of my position in the bank,
I have adequately arranged everything.
If you are willing to cooperate with me, this money will be transferred
to you without hitches. I will not have problems in regularizing all necessary
documents so that we won't encounter difficulties.
Finally, I want to say that the only problem is "trust". It is disheartening to
note that people are unreliable these days
and even derive joy in telling lies. On this ground, I request your
sincere cooperation devoid of greed in carrying out this
transaction such that we shall both be honest to each other in the
entire process.
Note again that I am only prepared to split at 70%---30% for you,
provided mine(60%) will be intact at the end of the day.
So If you are willing to make this deal with me, you should contact me
immediately only on my above secured email address.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Dean Ama

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam