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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:

• 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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "million 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)
  • ",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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  • thabokhumalo1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. THABO KHUMALO" <thabokhumalo58@msn.com>
Reply-To: <thabokhumalo1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:45:10 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS PRIVATE AND URGENT CONFIDENTIAL!!!



378, Banking Mail, Sandton City

Johannesburg , South Africa
Foreign Remittance Department
Tele/Fax: + 27-83-5058-515
Email: thabokhumalo1@gmail.com


TREAT AS PRIVATE AND URGENT CONFIDENTIAL!!!

ATTN: PRESIDENT/CEO,

Compliments of day to you, obviously this message might come as a surprise to you, but please consider it as a high priority issue, which will definitely change our destiny for good, I am MR. THABO KHUMALO, the Chief Bank Auditor of the Amalgamated Bank Of South Africa (ABSA BANK) for duration of 15 years now.

There is a Draft Account opened in this bank in 1988 by a long-time client of mine Mr. Smith Andre, who was a foreigner and a miner at Kruger Mining Company, he was also a geologist for several other mining conglomerates in Africa, before he passed away in 1990 due to a fire out brake at Kruger Mining Company which took the life of 12 miners in 1990, leaving nobody as the next of kin or beneficiary of his account after his death, As his financial auditor before his death, I am aware of every details of his bank account from 1988-1990 when the last deposit was made before his death.

As a matter of fact the amount in this account is currently (Nine Million United States Dollars US$9,000,000.00) waiting to be approved for immediate payment by the bank to any foreign account holder with accurate details concerning this account from 1988 to 1990, when the last deposit was made. In other words No withdrawal or deposit has been made since 1990 to date into this account.

I want you to stand as a next of kin to late Mr. Smith Andre because this money cannot be approved for payment into any local account, but can only be approved to a foreign account because it was insured and there is a clause in the depository agreement between the Bank and Mr. Smith Andre which states that on No condition can any local withdrawals be made from this account unless the money is transfer into an overseas foreign account, In effect withdrawals can be made only when the money has transferred from the vaults of the bank to a foreign bank account, I want to remit this fund out as soon as possible to avoid the ministry of finance to confiscate.

If you are willing and capable of handling such amount in strict confidence and trust according to my instructions and advice for our mutual benefits, because this opportunity may not come our way again I will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward transfer of this money into your nominated overseas bank account with the appropriate clearance certificate from the Ministries and Foreign Exchange Department.

I will physically be in your country for the sharing of the money as soon as you confirm the money into your overseas bank account, I will offer you 25% of the total money for your assistance, 5% will be mapped out for any expenses that may be incurred in the course of this transaction, while 70% will be for me to invest in your country. Finally, you should reply urgently by sending your account details with private telephone and fax number to enable my attorney to certify you as beneficiary of the said money at the Ministry of justice.

Looking forward to hearing from you.


Best Regards,

MR. THABO KHUMALO.
(Chief Auditor ABSA BANK)
378,

Note: Please do reply me here thabokhumalo1@gmail.com for security reasons!!!

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam