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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Fraud email example:

From: Mike Akaolu <m_akaolu3@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mikeakaolu@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:29:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Assist.


FROM:MR.MIKE AKAOLU
DIRECTOR AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS UNIT,
UNION TOGOLAISE DE BANQUE (UTB)
13 RUE DU COMMERCE
LOME-TOGO, WEST AFRICA.
TEL:+228-926-7221
Reply-To: mikeakaolu@hotmail.com


Dear friend,

With due honor and respect, I introduce myself to you for a better relationship. I am Mr,MIKE AKAOLU the Director in charge of Audit/Accounts unit, Foreign Remittance Department of UNION TOGOLAISE DE BANQUE (UTB)Your contact is courtesy of Business online network via Internet as I decided to contact you for this beneficial transaction that is 100% risk free.

During auditing,verifications/investigations in our bank at the end of last fiscal (financial) year, I discovered the sum of (US$12.5M}TWELVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS in a dormant account belonging to an Australian international businessman who died along with his family in the October, 1999 Egyptian Airline crash. Our investigations revealed no survival or NEXT OF KIN/RELATIONS for claims as we have long been expecting someone to forward applications for claims as it applies to our banking regulations. Information / verifications from reliable sources confirmed that his supposed ?NEXT OF KINS? died with him in the crash. Hence this for your perusals.

However, I kept this information (SECRET) confidential within my jurisdiction to enable us submit claims and transfer this fund through trustworthy person whom we shall present to our bank as the BONAFIDE ? NEXT OF KIN? to the deceased. We intend to credit this fund into any of your nominated (designated) offshore bank account for investments. Meanwhile, all domestic arrangements for claims has been put in place awaiting your acceptance to participate. I will give you directives and all needed information as soon as I receive your positive response.

Kindly understand that we could not carry out this on our own as based on the simple facts that we are civil servants and secluded from operating foreign account and too, it will raise eyebrows on our side in terms of transfer being staff of the bank. Moreover, this fund belongs to a foreigner and demands same as next of kin to claim it. Hence your contact for successful operation. My colleagues and I has resolved to offering you 20% of the total sum as commission, We will invest 75% of our share in your country provided it is profit oriented. 5% of the total fund will be set aside to re-emburse all expenses to be incurred in the course of running this transaction such as telephone and other minor expenses. I am assuring you of a smooth and successful transaction provided you display maturity and observe confidentiality.

Therefore, be kind to clarify the following for my consideration:

1. Can your account accommodate this fund in your local bank without government intervention or do you have an account outside your country where you may consider safe for this fund ?.

2. What are the interest rates on long/short term fixed deposit in your local banks?.

3. What other lucrative investments would you suggest as I intend banking, real estate and hotels if they are good business venture in your Country?.

4. Can you be able to make residential documents and purchase a house for me and my family to relocate and settle in your country?.

Kindly indicate your private telephone and fax number for more effeicient communication.

Looking forward to your anticipated urgent response.

Best regards,

MR MIKE AKAOLU










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