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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million british pounds" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348020689074 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Oscar Stephen" <oscar.stephen@btconnect.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:42:00 +0100
Subject: From The Desk of Mr.Oscar Stephen

From The Desk of Mr.Oscar Stephen
Manager Union Bank Plc.
Branch Ikeja Lagos
I am Mr.Oscar Stephen Branch Manager Union Bank Plc., I have urgent and
very confidential business proposition for you.A British Oil
consultant and contractor with the Kruger Gold Company,Mr.Raymond Beck
made a
numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at
BP12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million British pounds) in my branch.Upon
maturity,
I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no
reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from
contract employers, the Kruger Gold Company that Mr.Raymond Beck died
in
a plane crash along with his wife Mr.and Mrs.Raymond Beck died in a
plan crash along with his wife in Egypt Air Flight 990, 1999 air crash
(for more information about this crash ).
website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm
Since we got this information about his death and on further
investigation,I found out that he died without making a WILL, and all
attempts to
trace his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further
investigation and discovered that Mr.Raymond Beck did not declare any
kin or
relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit
paperwork in my Bank. This sum of (BP 12,000,000.00 POUNDS) is still
sitting
in my Bank 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.
According to Laws of 1999 constitution of Federal Republic Of
Nigeria,at
the expiration of 8 (eight) years, the money will revert to the
ownership of the Government if nobody applies to claim the
fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand
in as the next of kin to Mr.Raymond Beck so that the fruits of this old
man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your
full names and address AND your contact number so that the attorney
will
prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in
place as the next of kin. We shall employ the services of an attorney
for
drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary
documents and letter of robate/administration in your favor for the
transfer.A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide
will then
facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next
of kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the
ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you. There is no risk at all as all
the
paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and my
position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of
this
transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately via the
private email address above.Upon your response, I shall then provide
you
with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand
the transaction.
Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest
assuredthat
this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I
shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.
Awaiting your urgent reply
Regards.
Mr.Oscar Stephen.
Please reply back with this email address if intrested (
oscarsteves@aol.fr .Please call( 00234-80-20689074)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam