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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Steve Morgan <steve_morgan2002@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 04 Aug 2007 13:43:32 +0200
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE

I am Mr

Dear  Sir/Madam

. Olu Martins,a bank manager with Zenith BANK PLC  V/Island branch Lagos.Our customer/ depositor, A Russian petrochemical engineer and contractor to one of the oil producing company in Nigeria, who  was involved in the sosolisso air crash in port-harcourt october 2005 lost his life with his entire family.

Since then we have made several inquiries to Russian embassy to locate any of his Relatives,all efforts has proved abortive. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to reach out for a foreigner to come in as his next of kin to claim the money he deposited with my bank before his tragic death. This is why i am  reaching you, before the management of my bank confiscate the money, as the account has long been declared unserviceable by the Management of the bank. The total  amount is  12Million US Dollars)
.
Since I have not been able to locate his relatives for almost two years now, and the bank contemplating to consficate the money,I seek your consent to come in as the next of kin to the deceased. so that this fund be paid to your bank account. Then you and I, will share the money. 60% to me, 30% to you and the remaining 10% to defray all accidental expencies.

I will explain to you in details how the transaction will work out successfully for both of us as soon as you indicate your willingness to claim the money for our life time investment.

Reach me quickly through my private email address olu_martins01yahoo.co.uk

 

Your prompt response is being awaited
.
Thanks.
 
MR OLU MARTINS.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam