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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state 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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • fayezma@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:54:21 +0100
Subject: Reply


From The Desk of Mr. Fayez Mostafa

Manager National Bank of Abu Dhabi

Dibba Branch Adjacent Dar Al Khair Co-op,

Sh. Mohammad bin Hamdan

United Arab Emirate (U.A.E.)

Reply Here: fayezma@rocketmail.com



Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Fayez Mostafa Manager of
National Bank of Abu Dhabi. I have urgent and very confidential business
proposition for you an America Iraqi Foreign Oil Consultant /Contractor with
the Chevron Petroleum Corporation Company Late Mr. Thomas Stone Made a
numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at
US$12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million United State Dollars 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, Iraqi Foreign Oil consultant Chevron Petroleum
Corporation Company that Thomas Stone is died



And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one
except me knew of his deposit in my bank. Twelve million United State
Dollars is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim
it. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Thomas Stone so that you will be
able to receive his funds for our mutual benefit. We will share the fund at
the ration of 50% for me while 40 % for you, and then we will set aside 10%
for any expenses we incur during and after the transfer.





Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated. Reply here
fayezma@rocketmail.com





Best Regards





Fayez Mostafa

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam