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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Micheal Patric <micheal_patric@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 11:00:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Business Transaction



Director,Auditing and Accounting,
Financial Bank,
Cotonou - Benin
West Africa.

Dear Sir,


With due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction .As it may interest you I got your impressive information through chambers of commerce on foreign bussiness relations here in cotonou,Republic du Benin,W/Africa.

I was the account officer to one Mr & Mrs RICHARD PALM who worked with Chevron Oil company,but both died in the December 25th, 2003 Air Crash in Benin Republic.PLEASE VIEW THE WEBSITE.
www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html

During our last auditing in this bank,my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person Mr & Mrs RICHARD PALM who worked with Chevron Oil company,but both died in the December 25th, 2003 Air Crash in Benin Republic.This fund has been lying unclaimed in his account since then and will be eventually converted to the bank reserve as nobody has laid any form of claim to this fund in question.

Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and partners to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful during the time of execution.The said amount was US$15M (Fifteen Million United States Dollars)in fixed deposit account.

Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased,has been perfected and put in place and directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us in this mutually benefitted business transaction .

In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as a civil servant, we are not allowed to operate a foreign account and would ventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer because I work in this bank. This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin to the Bank and also present a foreign account where the money will be transferred on his request as it may be after due verification and clarification by the claim's and verification board in the bank.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free as all the loop holes has been plugged. On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 25% of the total sum as gratification, while 75% will be for me and my partners.

Please, you have been adviced to keep top secret as we are still in service and intend to retire peacefully from service after the conclusion of this deal with you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in the bank until you confirm the money in your account,and ask us to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated for further investment,either in your country or any country you may advice us to invest in.

All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you as soon as you indicate your willingness to do this business with us.

Best regards,


Micheal Patric
D/Line:00229487789











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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam