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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "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 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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • frankkojopvt1@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "thanks" <frankkojopvt@centrum.sk>
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:38:45 +0200
Subject: Reply


From Mr. Frank Kojo.
Bank Of Africa,
Benin Republic,
Cotonou.
 
I am a senior Accountant in my Bank and Accounting officer to MR.RAYMOND BECK who was a contractor with the government of  BENIN. On The 21st of April 2005, my customer, his wife and their two children were involved in auto-crash along the ever busy Tokpa High Way. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then,the Board of Directors of my Bank have made several enquires to their embassy to locate any of my customer's extended relations but to no avail.
 
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 this Huge deposits of US$8M was lodged.
 
The Bank has published several Notice for the Next of Kin of the deceased to apply for collection of this Funds or have the account confiscated within a shot Period of time. 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, so that the proceeds of this Account valued at US$8 million dollars can be paid to you and Then you and me can share the money,50% to me and 50% to you.
 
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law.
 
Please get back to me through this my private email frankkojopvt1@hotmail.co.uk to enable us further about this transaction.
 
Best regards,
Mr. Frank Kojo (Ph.d).
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam