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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ajayi yemi" <ajayi3003@msn.com>
Reply-To: ajayi_yemi2001@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:38:45 +0000
Subject: urgent reply.

Mr Ajayi Yemi
Assurance Bank Ltd,
Lagos-Nigeria.

My Dear friend,

I got your contact through the internet and I decided to reach you because
presently i am in desperate need of a trust worthy foreign person for this
proposal.

I am Mr Ajayi Yemi Branch Manager, Assurance Bank Ltd. In January 2002, one
of my customer (foreigner) who is a consultant/contractor with the Federal
Ministry of Mines and Power, made a numbered time Fixed) Deposit, valued at
US$11,500,000.00 (Eleven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars), for twelve (12) calendar months in my Bank branch.

Upon maturity, we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from his contract employers that he is no longer on earth.

The said fund is still in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with
the principal sum at the end of each year. in accordance with the Nigerian
Federal Law, at the expiration of 4 (four) years, the money will berevert to
the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody come for the claim.

Consequently, I shall present you as the next of kin, hence you are a
foreigner it will be easy for us to claim the money and the money will be
share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you .There is no risk involved as
i will use my position as the Branch Bank Manager to secure approvals and
guarantee the successful execution of this transaction within 7- working
days.

If this proposal interest you, please include your private phone number for
voice contact.

Look forward for your urgent reply.

Thanks,

Best regards.

Mr Ajayi Yemi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam