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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trust is our watchword" (the question is not whether they can trust you, but whether you have any reason to trust this person or anyone this person tells you to contact)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: SMITH FASHOLA <smithfashola@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:39:09 +0100
Subject: DEAR FRIEND

Dear Friend,

Do excuse me if this mail comes to you as an inconviniency as I'am only pressed as a matter of urgency to have contacted you through this medium.

I am Smith Fashola,The Head of Operations WEMA BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.I am writing following an opportunity in my office that will be of imense benefit to both of us.In my Bank i discovered an abandoned sum of $1.5m.usd in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer Late Mr.Morris,who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31-2000, including his wife and only daughter. You shall read more about the crash on visiting this website.
http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/ and
http://www.nativefederation.org/history/people/mThompson.html

Since we got information about his death,we have been expecting his next of kin or relatives to come over and claim his money because the Bank cannot release the fund unless somebody applies as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking banking guidelines and Since then,I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives but all effort has proved abortive.

Unfortunately I learnt that his supposed next of kin being his only daughter died along with him leaving nobody with the knowledge of this fund behind for the claim.It is therefore upon this discovery that I decided to do business with you and release the money to you as the next of kin or beneficiary of the fund for safety keeping and subsequent disbursement for our benefits since nobody is coming for it and i don't want this money to be confiscated by the bank or to go back into Government treasury as unclaimed bill.Bear in mind that the management of the bank is ready to welcome anybody preferably a foreigner who has the correct information of the account which I will give to you immediately,if you indicate your sincere willingness to handle this transaction with me.Nobody has come to the bank authority for claiming of the fund.It will be easy to convince the bank authority since I 'am in possession of the necessary legal documents.

The ratio at which this fund will be shared is that 55% will be for me,35% to you while the remaining 10% has been set aside for every expenses that will be incured in the course of this transaction.I will visit your country for the disbursement according to the percentages indicated above once the money gets into your account as i also wish to invest into a viable area of investment in your country with my own share of the money which i will be looking forward to your advice in this area.Please be honest to me and trust is our watchword in this transaction.

Note this transaction is confidential and risk free.As soon as you receive this mail you should contact me by return mail whether or not you are willing to enter into this deal.In the event you are not interested,I sincerely ask that you disregard this email and tell no one about it.I am very careful on truncating my banking career should you mention this to someone else.I hope you can be trusted in this regard.Please note that all necessary arrangement for the smooth release of these fund to you has been finalised.We shall discuss much in details when I do receive your response.Upon receipt of your reply,i will send to you by fax or email the text of the application letter of claims you will send to the bank to seek the release of the fund to you.I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is a risk-free deal and that you should not entertain any fear as all require arrangements have been made.You should contact me as soon as you receive this mail.

Please in your response include the following informations below:
{1}Your full name and address
{2}Your telephone number and fax number
{3}Your Occupation.

Best regard
Smith Fashola

 

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam