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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • xinm2117@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "liumou xinsheng" <liumouz@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 16:23:44 +0100
Subject: Hello


Hello

I am credit officer of the Co-operative bank of china.On June 6, 2004, a
British Oil consultant/contractor with the Chinese Transport Corporation,
Mr. Paul Moore made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar
months, valued at US$18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million Dollars only) in my
branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding
address but got no reply.

After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his
contract employers, the Hong Kong Chinese Transport Corporation that Mr.
Paul Moore died from a marine related accident On further investigation, I
found out that he died without Making a WILL, and all attempts to trace
his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and
discovered that Mr. Paul Moore did not declare any kin or relations in all
his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.
This sum of US$18,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest
is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No
one will ever come forward to claim it. According to laws of Hong Kong, at
the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership
of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Paul Moore so that the fruits of this
old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and
address, age and occupation. so that the attorney will prepare the
necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the next
of kin.

The attorney will draft and perfect the notarization of the WILL and to
obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in
your favor for the the release and subsequent transfer of these funds in
your favor.
While the lawyer is perfecting the release order documents, you will be
setting up an offshore bank account. I will point you to the the offshore
bank that would meet our requirements. once approvals for release of funds
have been secured by the lawyer from my bank, The money would be moved
into this new account with this offshore bank you would have set up The
money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio
of 65% for me and 30% for you and 5% for Expenses Incurred in the course
of the transaction .

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and with my position as the credit officer guarantees
the successful execution of this transaction. Upon your response, I shall
then provide you with more details, and how we are to actualize this
transaction You should observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured
that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I
shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Please if you are interested in helping me with this transaction do
contact me on my email : xinm2117@yahoo.com.hk

Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks and regards.
Liumou.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam