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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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • benedward20005@yahoo.com
  • benedward20005@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "ben edward" <benedward20005@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: benedward20005@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 19:44:13 +0000
Subject: IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BEN EDWARD.

FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA Plc.
>From The Desk of Dr.BEN EDWARD
Email:benedward20005@yahoo.com


Dear Sir, I am Dr. BEN EDWARD from the First Bank of Nigeria Plc,Lagos
Branch.
I got your contact through the internet and i have urgent and very
confidential business proposal for you. On January 7, 1999, an America Oil
consultant/contractor with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation nnpc
,Mr. Mark Cooper made a numbered time (fixed) deposit for twelve calendar
months, valued at US$13,000.000(thirteen Million united state Dollars )in
my branch upon maturity.

I sent a rountine notification to his forwarded address but got no reply.
After a month,we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract
employers,the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Mark Cooper
died in the plane crash of 31 October 1999[with Egyptian 990] with other
passengers abroad.

On further investigation, i found out that he died without making a
will, and attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.
I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Mark Cooper
did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official
documents,including his bank deposite paper work in my bank. This sum of
US$13,000.000 million dollars is still 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 Nigerian law, at the expiration of (five)years, the money will
revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to
claim the fund, Consequently my proposal is that i will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Mr. Mark Cooper so that the fruit
of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt
Government officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full name and
address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and
affidavits which will put you in place as the next of kin.
We shall employ the service of two attorney for the Drafting and
Notarization of the will and obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favour for the transfer.

Any bank account in any part of the world which 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 ratio of 55% for
me and 35% for you, 10% for the expenses.

Take Note: There is no risk at 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
below,upon your responce,i shall provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because i shall require
your assistance to invest my share in your country.
Please if this proposal satisfies you , upon the reciept of this mail
message, send to me the following information to enable me start the process
of the fund into your bank account:

1. Your full Name and address
2. The name of your bank where you want the fund to be
transfered into, Account beneficiary
3. Your private Telephone and fax numbers
Awaiting your urgent reply via my email: benedward20005@yahoo.com

Thanks and regards,
Dr. BEN EDWARD MANAGER ( FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA Plc.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam