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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (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)
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (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)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (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)
  • "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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.
  • dr.patdrakke@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Leicester Group Ltd <leicergroup8@msn.com>
Reply-To: <dr.patdrakke@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 18:01:48 +0000
Subject: Dear Beloved,Request For Partnership




From: The Desk of Mr Patt Drake,
EcoBank
Benin,
Rue Du Gouverneur Bayol,
Cotonou,Benin
::dr.patdrakke@hotmail.com

Dear Friend,
I
am Dr.Patt Drake, A British National working in the foreign Exchange
Department of the EcoBank Benin and 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$50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million United State Dollars in my branch and
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 Died in a plane crash in Egypt Air Flight 1990, 1999
air crash for more information about this crash and person you can contact this
website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/11/01/iran/main49778.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm.

Since
we got this information about his death and on further investigation I found out
that he died without making a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin was
fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr.
Thomas Stone did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.

This sum of
US$50,000,000.00 ( Fifty Million US Dollars) is still sitting in my Bank and the
interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No
one will ever come forward to claim it. According to Laws of Benin Republic,
at the expiration of 19 (Nineteen) years, the money will revert to the ownership
of the Benin Republic Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as
the next of kin beneficiary to late Mr. Thomas Stone so that the fruits of this
old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your
full names and address so that the attorney in charge will prepare the necessary
documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin. In fact
I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as
a civil servant (A Banker), we are not allowed to operate a foreign account and
would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer
because I work in this bank so that is why I want to handle the deal with
you.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and
notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate administration in your favor for the transfer. A bank account in any
part of the world that you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of
this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin.

The money will be paid
into your account for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me and 50% for you.


There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will
be done by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply
immediately via email address above.

Upon your response, I shall then
provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you
understand the transaction. Please send me your confidential telephone and fax
numbers for easy communication. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest
assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I
shall require your assistance to invest my share in your
country.

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Regards
Dr.Pat
Drakke

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam