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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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 about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "HINES TOMMY" <h_tommy111@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: tomhines777@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:11:51 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend !!!

My Dear Friend,

I wish to intimate you with a request that would be of immense Benefit
to both of us. Being an executor of Wills,Codicile and Administration
of Estate, it is possible that we may be tempted to make fortune out
of our client's situations when we cannot help it, or left with no
better option.

The issue I am presenting to you is a case of my client Mr. Pajares
Luis Caceres ( A Turkish National a consultant / contractor with Gulf
Maritime General Trading & contracting Company) who WILLED a fortune
to his next-of-kin.

It was most unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died on the same
day in an auto crash of Tuesday 10 February 2004.

I am now faced with the Task of who to pass the fortune to. According
to the Nigerian law, the fortune is supposed to be bequeathed to the
Government. However, I don't belong to that school of thought which
proposes that the fortune of unlucky people be given to the
Government.

My client made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit, valued at
(11,500,000.00) Eleven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United states
Dollars only, for twelve (12) calendar months with citi International
Bank limited, Lagos Nigeria
Upon maturity, the bank sent a routine notification to his forwarding
address but got no reply.

This sum of 11,500,000.00 United states Dollars is in the Bank right
now 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.

In accordance with the Nigeria Federal Law, at the expiration of 4 (
four) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Nigeria
Government, if nobody applies as the Next of kin to claim the fund.
Consequently, I shall present you to stand in as the next of kin to my
Late Client so that you and i can benefit from the fruits of this old
man's labour to enhance Humanitarian Organization World wide.

For now, I alone know about his will, as my client has great confident
in me. Everything will be left between you and I. The share would be
50% for you and 50% for me. All I have to do is to amend the will to
make you the beneficiary to the 11,500,000.00 United states Dollars
legaly.

As I am not very sure of getting your consent on the issue, I prefer
not to divulge my full identity so as not to risk being disbarred. The
Nigerian Bar considers it a breach of the oath of the Nigerian Bar. I
need not emphasize to you that the sensitivity of this issue need not
be toyed with by neglecting its confidentiality.

Due to the risk involve and also the activities of fraudsters now
rampant on the internet, and until I am sure of your consent, full
cooperation and genuine willingness to assist me for our mutual
benefit, I would prefer that we maintain correspondence by email.

Upon acceptance, I shall send to you the Detailed Informations on how
this business would be successfully transacted.

At this point I want to assure you that your true consent, full
co-operation and confidentiality are all that are required for us to
take full advantage of this great opportunity. This is an opportunity
that people rarely have.

Do send your full names, address, Private tel & fax numbers for easy
communication.

I look forward to hear from you soon.
You can also reach me also at: bronsterhines77@yahoo.com

Yours truly,
Barrister. Tommy Hines.

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