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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • peace_olowogboyega@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Araba Olowo" <arabaolowo@msn.com>
Reply-To: peace_olowogboyega@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:24:24 +0000
Subject: AWAIT YOUR REPLY

Standard Trust Bank Plc
Lagos Nigeria.
234-802-9200278
 
Dear Friend.

I am an Accountant with STANDARD TRUST BANK(STB),My name is Mr  Peace Olowogboyega. I am the personal Account Manager to Late Engr. W. Charles, who is a citizen of your country who used to work with an Oil Development company in Nigeria. NNPC (NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLUEM COMPANY) Here in after shall be referred to as my client On January 27, 2002, my client, his wife, and their three children were involved in the Ikeja bomb blast disaster which occured in Lagos Nigeria. All occupants of the area unfortunately lost their lives.
 
Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended Relatives, this is also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they Get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the STANDARD TRUST BANK PLC. Where the deceased had an account Valued at about ($10 million u s dollars) has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. Or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since youare from the same country so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($10 million u s dollars) can be paid to you and then you and me Can share the money.65% to me and 30% to you while 5% mapped out for expenses that might be incurred by both parties in the cause of this transaction.
 
An attorney will be contracted to help revalidated and notarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you. from any breach of the law.
 
contact my private email: peace_olowogboyega@hotmail.com
Best regards,
 
Mr Peace Olowogboyega
Auditor Accountant
 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam