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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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)
  • "very confidential" (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)
  • "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
  • +2347028842101

Fraud email example:

From: "Micheal Miller" <michaelmiller10@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: michaelmiller111@lycos.com
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 18:03:41 +0100
Subject: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY


*85, Moshood Abiola way Sango Otta.
Abiokuta, Nigeria.
Telephone +234 7028842101.*

* *

*
DEAR SIR/MADAM,*

*
I presumed that all is well with you and your family. Please let this do not
be a surprise proposal to you because i got your contact information from
the international directory in few weeks ago before i decided to contact you
on this magnitude and lucrative transaction for our future survival in life.
Moreover, i have laid all the solemn trust in you before i decided to
disclose this successful & confidential transaction to you.*

*
My name is Micheal Miller; I am a banker with one of the banks in Nigeria. I
have urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On June 7
2004, a Zimbabwean farmer/businessman made a numbered time (Fixed) deposited
for twelve calendar months, valued at $15,320,000.00 (Fifteen million, three
hundred and twenty thousand United States dollars) in my branch. Upon
maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no
reply. After a month, I sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his
co-farmer who previously had a joint account with him in my bank that he
died in the land crisis in Zimbabwe.*

*
On further investigation, I found out that he did not leave a WILL and all
attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless. I therefore made further
investigation and discovered that he did not declare any next of kin in all
his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork.*

*
This sum of US$15,320,000.00 is still sitting in the Bank and the interest
is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one
will come forward to claim it. According to the Nigeria Law, at the
expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
Nigeria Government {STATE} if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as his next of kin so that the fruits of this old man's labor will not get
into the hands of some corrupt officials. I will intimate you with the
requirements that the attorney will need to prepare the necessary documents
and affidavits, which will put you in place as the next of kin upon your
positive response.*

*
We shall employ the services of attorneys for drafting and notarization of
the WILL and obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer. A bank Account in any
part of the world, which you provide, will then facilitate the transfer of
this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. *

*
The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 60%
for me and 40% for you, there is no risk at all as all the paperwork for
this transaction will be done by the attorney and my position as the
Regional manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.*

* *

*Upon your positive response, I shall let you know who i am, the name of my
bank and the name of the deceased. I will also provide you with more details
and relevant documents that will put you in a clearer picture of this
pending transaction.*

*
Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be 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.*

*
Yours truly,
Mr. Micheal Miller.
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED.*

*
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam