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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:
  • "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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas Dickson <thomasdicksonex@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:52:54 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: SIR/MADAM


FROM: MR. THOMAS DICKSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC

ATTN: SIR/MADAM

It is quite obvious we have not met before and though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach you through it because I consider it 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. THOMAS DICKSON, Executive Director incharge of Claims and Indemnity of PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE Company COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC. 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 account 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 according to our Banking and Financial law. Recently, I came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person (MR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN). He is a foreigner, unfortunately He is now late as he was amongst those that was Killed in a plane crash during his visit to London.

This man was our client and has a Life Assurance Policy WORTH the sum of Thirty five Million United States Dollars (US$35,000,000.00). 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 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$35Million) will be Safely transfered into your own bank account in your country. 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 the claims. The whole Procedures will last only 5 working days to get the fund retrieved successfully and sent to you Without trace even in the future. Please I need the following:

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
3. OCCUPATION AND STATUS
4. PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS

The transaction will be done successfully and I PROMISE that you shall be happy and shall rejoice greatly soonest for your cooperation with me. After successful conclusion 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 to the PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY. Your earliest response to this matter is very important.

Sincerely,

MR. THOMAS DICKSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam