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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "top of the day to you" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045786650 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • eromenealbanprivate@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "biz pri" <biz.pri06@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:05:36 -1200
Subject: PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT


Dear Friend,


Top of the day to you in goodfaith.I am Dr EROMENE ALBAN, the Former
director in charge of auditing and accounting section of West African Bank
Benin,Cotonou,Republic of Benin, West Africa and currently based in the
United Kingdom, and also a special account officer of Mr. Marcus Brenner,an
American.He was a seasoned contractor with Benin Cement Company, Cotonou,
who unfortunately died in a plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight
Boeing 727 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 25th December, 2003.


You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website:
1.www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/
story/0,1280,-3555201,00.html
2.www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/


Before his death on the 25th December 2003, Mr.Marcus Brenner has a fixed
deposit account with the bank and no other person know about this account or
have any information relating to this account.The account has no beneficiary
nor did next-of-kin other than him and my investigation reveal that his
supposed next-of-kin died along with him in the crash.Since then, I have
made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives, this has
also proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
contact you.


I'm contacting you to assist in remittance of a dormant fund as the next of
kin left behind by Mr.Marcus Brenner so as not to allow the bank confiscate
or declare the funds unserviceable according to Benin Republic financial law
on unclaimed bills which the government usually map out for the purchase of
ammunitions which are the major course of connflicts in the west of Africa.


Consequently, I'm seeking your consent to present you as the next-of-kin of
the deceased so that the outstanding fixed deposit (US$32.3M) will be
remitted into any designated accounbt of yours to be shared by both of us in
the ratio of 50% to me and 40% for you and 10% for any expenses that will be
incured during the transaction like phone bills etc.I have all necessary
legal documents to back up this claim.


All that is required of you is absolute honesty, total commitment,
co-operation & absolute confidentiality.Be rest-assured that this
transaction will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect
both parties from breach of the law and it is 100% risk free and attracts no
authorities and every information you will require as the next of kin will
be forwarded to you after your final acceptance to help me champion this
deal.


If this proposal is acceptable to you, kindly email your following
information to me:eromenealbanprivate@hotmail.fr


a. Full Name(s)
b. Direct phone & fax number(s)
c.Age sex and nationality
d. Your direct email & any other information you may deem helpful.


Thank you for your cooperation until I read from you.You may also reach me
at my private mailbox and call me for further information on +44 704 5786
650


Sincerely yours,
Dr EROMENE ALBAN
email:eromenealbanprivate@hotmail.fr
Phone;+44 704 5786 650

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam