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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:
  • "money orders " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Kennedy Orobia" <korobia@moomia.com> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 19:38:56 +0100
Subject: Urgent / business proposal

Dear sir,

Greetings!

It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will
be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry
if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this
unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of
exceptional and very private nature. There is absolutely going to be a great
doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with
the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the
Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely
difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get
attention and recognition. There is no way for me to know whether I will be
properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you.

My name is Mr Kennedy Orobia, and I head a four-man Committee on Debt
Reconciliation at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, where I am also a
Director of Project Implementation. In recent past, we have carefully
arranged a contract with a foreign firm, in which the cost was
over-invoiced deliberately to favour us. Now, we want to get the funds out of the
apex bank into your provided account within one week from now, and a
percentage (20%) will be given to you for your assistance and efforts. The
amount we are about transferring is totaled at US$24,300,000.00.

Also, there is the need for you to know that, we shall be sending you
upon commencement, about US$10,000.00 that will be used in taking care
of some expenses, as well as settling some taxes here, which you shall
handle personally, so there are absolutely no bills to be paid by you in
the course of the transfer.

Note however that it is only on the condition that you have an account
domiciled in the United States, Canada and in the UK, that is when we
shall make the funds available to you. Our financier is only prepared to
release funds to the US Canada and UK only.

But if you are outside these regions, we will have to talk further. All
we need from you now is concrete mailing address, to enable us send via
courier money orders in the amount of US $10,000.00, which you shall
use in settling the bills as they come. We have set aside funds to offset
whatever bills that crop up in the event of transfer. You will
certainly ask yourself how consequential this letter is. Indeed, is it not
surprising to receive such a letter seeking immediate assistance? This is
why today I am making you a non-binding, unrestricted offer, to bring us
close into mutual understanding and cooperation now, and in the near
future.

Trust is definitely the most noble trait in the world, and I urge you
to trust my sincerity and the word of a simple and humble person of
faith, who is willing to accomplish the task of doing business with you. It
is up to you to decide whether this letter deserves your trust and
confidentiality.

And if indeed it does, please send me the following:

(i) Acceptance of this offer
(ii) Your company name/address, telephone/fax numbers and a bank
account where the funds would be lodged.
(iii) Convincing Honesty, Trustworthiness and Willingness to abide by
the requirements of this proposal paramount of which is
CONFIDENTIALITY.

Upon receipt of the above, I shall communicate with you, and let you
know the details of the transfer. Whatever your actions and your
decision, I thank you for taking the time to read this email.

Best personal regards.
Mr.Kennedy Orobia

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam