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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Micheal Okoh" <micheal_okoh2000@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: micheal_okoh2001@ciudad.com.ar
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 16:12:49 +0000
Subject: Very Urgent

Dear Sir,

My Name is Micheal Okoh, a Bank Manager, a national of your country who used
to work with Shell Development Oil and Gas Company here in Nigeria as their
financial controller, herein shall be referred to as my client.

On the 21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their two children were
involved in a plane crash. All the occupants on board unfortunately lost
their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries through their embassy
to locate any of my client's extended relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace
her last name over the Internet to locate any member of his family hence I
contacted you, I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left
behind by my client in his account before they get confiscated by our Bank
here in Nigeria where the deceased had an account valued at 7.4 Million
United States Dollars, and notice has been issued for the confiscation of
any of this fund within the industry.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a year now
I have decided to seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin of the
deceased since you have the same surname so that the proceeds of this
account valued at 7.4 Million United States Dollars can be paid to you and
then you and I can share the money. 60% for me and 35% to you while 5% will
be reserved for any expense that may arise during the course of our
completing this transaction. With my position in the Bank as the Manager I
have the power to make all the necessary changes to make you the Next of Kin
and the rightful beneficiary to this fund. All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that
this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
and I from any breach of the law.

Please contact me as soon as enclosing your telephone/fax numbers for easy
communication.

Best regards.
Mr. Micheal Okoh.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam