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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (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 amount 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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Dick Iko <d_iko25@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <d_iko28@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:49:35 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY.



Hello Dear,

I am Mr Dick Iko,a Solicitor and Advocate, the personal attorney to late Mr. Jim Ray a National of France, who used to be a private contractor with the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Togo, herein after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001, he and his wife with their three children were involved in an auto crash, all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then, I have made several enquiries with his country's embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives: This has proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you with this business partnership proposal. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance/Security Company where this huge deposit was lodged. The deceased had a deposit valued presently at $6.5 million US Dollars and the Company has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or Beneficiary by Will otherwise have the account confiscated within the next thirty official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 Years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $6.5 Million US dollars can be paid to you. This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this transaction through.

I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please, provide me the following:
1. Full Name 2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number 3. Your Contact Address.

Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.

Best regards, Dick Iko Esq. Lome-Togo Tell 00228 907 01 40.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam