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

Fraud email example:

From: timisylva@mchsi.com (TIMI SYLVA)
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:08:56 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY,

Inland Bank Nigeria Plc.
Corporate Head Office,
Marina.
Lagos-Nigeria.



Dear Friend,

I am Timi Sylva an accountant with one of the reputable banks in Nigeria. I am also a Personal accounts officer to Mr.Mark George,from your country who used to work with shell Development Company in Nigeria,Herein after shall be referred to as my client an expatriate Who board a plane from the city of kano to the city Lagos in Nigeria, and unfortunately died with his entire family on Saturday, 4 May, 2002, in plane crash.Let me refer you to the front page of (BBC) World News of Saturday, 4 May 2002,). You can check it through their website at,
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968300.stm > and
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm>
Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his similar name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence this mail to you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by Mr.Mark before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by my bank.

Since we have been unsuccessful in locating the relativesfor over 3 years now. I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have similar name with him so that the proceeds of this account valued at 10.5million US Dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 30% for you,while 10% should be for expenses or taxes your Government may require. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. As soon as I hear from you I will detail you on the process of the transaction.

Best regards,
Timi Sylva.
_________________________________________________________________________
The information in this email is confidential, please, if you are not
interested destroy this message, delete any copies held on your systems immediately.You should not retain, copy or use this email for any purpose,nor disclose all or any part of its content to any other person.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam