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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • michealboltaiwo@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Bolaji Taiwo" <michealboltaiwo03@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 04:33:28 -0700
Subject: FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION PLEASE!!!


Dear friend,
I am Mr Micheal Bolaji Taiwo, Branch Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, In January
2000, one of my foreign Clients who was a consultant/contractor with the
Federal Ministry of Mines and Power, made a numbered time Fixed Deposit,
valued at US$11,500,000.00 (Eleven Million, Five hundred Thousand United
States Dollars), for twelve (12) calendar months in my Bank branch as at
which time i was His Account Officer. Upon maturity, I sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply.
After a month, I sent a reminder and finally I discovered from his contract
employers that he had died in an Auto Accident that also claimed the life of
his Driver. The said fund is still in my Bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. in accordance
with the Nigerian Law as regards Dormant Accounts, at the expiration of 10
(Ten) years, the money will be forfitted to the Government if nobody comes
for the claim.
Over the Years I have worked my way up to the Post of the Manager of the
same Branch.Considering the fact that i was his Account Officer, it will be
quite easy for us to have this money transffered to any body of my Choice as
the NEXT OF KIN as i am in the Know of the circumstances surrounding the
Account and this i am keeping to myself. Should you agree to be a part of
this, i will use my position to Maximum effect in seeing to the procurement
of the needed Documentation to have the Money transfered to you as his
Relative. At the conclution of which, you will have 30% while i retain 60%
for myself while the Balance will be for expenses on both sides. From date
of commencement, it will take 7 (Seven) Banking Days to have the transaction
completed. Note that this is a Low Risk High profit transaction as you need
not show up.
Should you be intrested in this transaction, please have sent your full
Names, official and residential address, Tel and Fax numbers, Marital
Satus,Proffession/ Occupation. I would also like to Know if you have any
Mortgages or indebted to anybody/Bank and to what amount.The Tax Laws of
your Country will also be needed as to Accomodate it. This is a test run as
i have quite a few Accounts still Dormant. I pray this will be the begining
of a profitable Business/Personal relationship between both our Families as
i expect to hear/read from you ASAP. All futher communications should be to
and from michealboltaiwo@hotmail.com.
Peace Profound.
Micheal Bolaji Taiwo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam