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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "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)
  • "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: kennet_ken ken <kennet_ken000@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: kennet_ken111@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 10:20:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: DEAR SIR URGENT


Dear Sir

My name is Mr.kennet ken , Director of special duties in a security company here in spain UNION SECURITY COMPANY MADRID, SPAIN.I am a close family friend to Engr Lake a National of your country , who used to work with an oil servicing company here in spain.


My client, his wife, and their two children were involved in the ill fated sosoliso airways which crash in the coast of lagos Nigeria city of in on october 22 2005 in which all passengers on board died during one their holiday visit to that couintry with his family. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but has been unsuccessful.After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the internet,to see if I could locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.

Of particular interest is this huge deposit with our security company here in madrd spain,where the deceased deposited the sum of twenty six million USD ($26 million US dollars).They have issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or the security company will declare the account unservisable and thereby send the funds to the consinment to the security company treasury.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over last 2 years now, I will seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased , so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($26million US dollars) can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under all legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. In your reply mail, I want you to give me your full names, address, date of birth, telephone and fax numbers.If you can handle this with me write me back immediately for more details .

Thanking you for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
kennet ken.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam