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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • asieke_mike@yahoo.ca (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Mike Asieke" <m_asieke@colacao.es>
Reply-To: asieke_mike@yahoo.ca
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:23:33 +0100
Subject: PLEASE READ & GET BACK TO ME URGENTLY

FROM THE DESK OF DR.MIKE ASIEKE,
DIRECTOR AUDITIN AND ACCOUNTIN UNIT
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT,
CONTINENTAL BANK Benin Republic,
E-MAIL: asieke_mike@yahoo.ca

Dear Friend,
I plead you in the name of God to listen to what i have to say, and make
sure you read this carefully and see to it what you can do. Because i
want this fund to be given to the less preveleged and orphans while you
and i share some part.

I am Dr.Asieke Mike the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Continental bank Benin Republic.

With due respect and regards. 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. During our investigation and audting in the bank, my
department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased
person, a foregner who died on Monday 31th July 2000 in a plane crash and
the fund has been dormant in his account with the bank without any claim
of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation before our
discovery to this development, FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THIS SITE
BELOW: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Although personally, I kept this information secret within myself to
enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful during the
time of execution.The said amount was USD$22m (Twenty Two Million United
States Dollars) As it may intrest you to know, I got your contact through
international business enquiry as i was making search of a foreign
partner that will assist me to bring this deal to be a success. I beleive
you will be viable and capable to champion a business of such magnitude
without any problem.

Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonifide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and
transfer this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and
directives/needed information will be released to you as soon as you
indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your
self to this great business opportunity. 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 foriegn account and would
eventually 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 with affidavit of trust of
Oath to the bank and also present a foriegn account where he will need
the money to be re-transfered into on his request as it may be, after due
verification and clarification by designated bank account. I will not
fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth
conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total
sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer such as telephone
bills etc, while 60% will be for me.

Please you have been adviced to keep top secret as i am still in service
and intend to retire from service after i conclude 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 me to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously
indicated and further investment, either in your country or any other
country you may advice me to invest in. All other necessary information
will be sent to you when I hear from you.

I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in
this deal. Do make sure you reply directly to my private email below:
asieke_mike@yahoo.ca

Thank you again my friend,
we shall all be happy and rejoice at the end.
Yours

Dr MIKE ASIEKE,
AUDITING & ACCOUNTING DEPT
IN GOD WE TRUST.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam