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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:

• 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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "OBIGWE MR.AUSTEN" <austenobigwe11@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: austenobigwe11@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:07:44 +0100
Subject: BEQUEST/PAYMENT


Mr. Austen Obigwe
Corporate and International Banking
Union Bank Nigeria Plc
Stallion Plaza,
36, Marina,
Lagos Nigeria


Dearly Beloved,

I am an accountant with Union Bank Nigeria Plc; my name is Mr. Austen
Obigwe,a Banker. I am the Accounts officer to late Engr. (Douglas) a
National of your country, who is a contractor with the DEPARTMENT OF
PETROLEUM RESOURCES VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS.

Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On 30 JAN 2000, my client,
his wife, and their three children were involved in the Kenya airways flight
with registration number 5Y-BEN which
departed from Nairobi to destination Lagos and the all family died in this
fatal air crash on 30 JAN 2000 Since then I have made several inquiries to
your embassy to locate any of my clients extended Relatives, this has also
proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name
over the US Database, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted
you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits
were lodged, particularly the UNION BANK NIGERIA PLC, where the deceased had
an account valued at about ($12 million US dollars). The bank has issued a
notice to me, unequivocally instructing me to produce the Next of
kin/Beneficiary to the said account within the next ten 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 of
the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this
account valued at ($12 million US Dollars) can be paid to you and then you
and me Can share the money.40% to me and 40% to you and 10% for any charity
organization in your country. While 10% for unforeseen bottlenecks we might
incure in this transaction for an attorney will be contracted to help us
revalidate and notarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used
to back up any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of the law. Please
endeavour to send me the following items alongside your response.

(1)YOUR NAME IN FULL
(2)YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
(3)SEX
(4)TELEPHONE NUMBER
(5)NATIONALITY
(6)MARITAL STATUS
(7)AGE


Best regards,

Mr.Austen Obigwe

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam