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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Sean Taylor <sean.taylor1@adinet.com.uy>
Reply-To: taylor.sean@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:11:05 -0300 (UYT)
Subject: Await for your urgent response




Unity Trust Bank Plc London
London and South East
3rd Floor Congress House,
23-28 Great Russell Street,
London, WC1B 3UB
FROM THE DESK OF SEAN TAYLOR
Address: No. 12 Houndsfield Road,
Edmonton, London N9 7RQ, UK
TEL/FAX: 44-87-1715-1285

Dear respectful one,

With warm heart, I offer my friendship, and greetings to you, and I hope this mail meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this contact might seems to you, as we have not meet personally or had any dealings in the past. I humbly ask that you take due consideration of this importance benefit to both of us.I prayed over it and selected your name among other names due to it's esteeming nature and the recommendations given to me from God almighty as a reputable,honest and trustworthy person I can do business with, and by the recommenddations I must not hesitate to confide in you for this simple and sincere business.

It is my pleasure to write and inform you, that you were chosen to act as next of Kin to LATE MR. FREDERICK M. WONG after i must have prayed overt it. But be rest assured that your contact particulars was given to me after a due search, for a reliable and capable foreigner that will handle confidentially, a transfer of huge sum of money to a foreign bank account. The deal in details: A foreigner, LATE MR.FREDERICK M. WONG was an oil merchant/contractor with the Federal Government of United Kingdom and also resides here in London until his untimely death seven year ago in ghastly plane crash. Late MR.FREDERICK M. WONG who perished in the plane crash of OCTOBER 31, 1999 {with Egyptian airline 990} with other passengers abroad as you can confirm it by yourself at this web page http://www.bromike.com/departed/egypt.html

He had a deposit of twenty million united states dollars (US$20,000,000.00), here with the UNITY TRUST BANK PLC LONDON before his death on OCTOBER 31, 1999. I am his accountant officer, and nobody has serviced this account or shown up for his money since after his death till date. Although, efforts have been made by the bank managements to get in touch with his next of kin or any of his relations, but all to no avail. It is on this note some top officials of this bank, who are fully aware of the incident resolved and asked me to find and negotiate with a trust worthy foreigner who is willing to assist,and act as the next of kin to the LATE MR.FREDERICK M. WONG. This huge sum of money is now kept in the "DECEASED ACCOUNT" of the Unity Trust Bank Plc London. Please understand that this money which is twenty million united states dollars (US$20,000,000.00) when transferred into your account will be shared with the ratio of:

1) 30% to you as the next of kin and account owner,
2) 60% for my colleagues and I,
3) 10% will be maped out for the balance of every expenses made locally or internationally during this transaction.

Also note that this transaction is 100% risk free, for we have concluded every arrangement to safeguard you in this transaction.Therefore, if you wish to assist us,hasten up and send the following informations to enable us effectively process the necessary document for smooth transfer into your account, as to be nominated by you as the next of kin to LATE MR.FREDERICK M. WONG.

I know we have never met or entered into any kind of transaction with you before as to know the extent of your trust and honesty. But based on the recommendation, I personally want to believe that you will not sit on the money if it finally gets into your account. It is on this note I consider it proper to write and ask for your consent to support so that this money will be transferred into your account.

Await your urgent response

Yours Sincerely,

Sean Taylor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam