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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:

• 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 sum of money" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "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.
  • mrpetersmith_22@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "PETER SMITH" <petersmith22@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 20:15:56 +0000
Subject: REQUEST FOR URGENT CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.
NIGERIA COMMERCIAL BANK PLC.
TINUBU SQUARE LAGOS NIGERIA.


ATTN:GOOD FRIEND


REQUEST FOR URGENT CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL OF $26,000,000.00
I am peter smith, the Director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section
of Nigeria Commercial Bank in West Africa and also Chairman of Investigating
and Auditing Department of this Bank. With due respect, and regard I have
decided to contact you on a Business Transaction that will be very
beneficial to both of us and our families.

During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to one Mr. Aurther Billings a
foreigner, who died on November 1st 1999 in a plane crash Overseas and the
fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the
fund in our custody either from his family or relation because he did not
indicate any next of kin to this account incase of death such as this.
Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and
partners to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful
during the time of execution. The said amount is U.S $26m(Twenty six million
dollars). As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive information
through one of my good friends who works with Chamber of Commerce on foreign
business relations here in Lagos Nigeria. It is him who recommended your
person to me to be viable and capable to champion a business of such
magnitude without any problem.

Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this bank, and the Director of Auditing and
Accounting, I have in my possession all the necessary documents to perfect
this deal by making you the bonafide next of kin whom this money will be
transferred into his account. I need your assistance and co-operation to get
this deal done. Because as a foreigner, you stand a better position to be
presented through documentation as the next of kin since the deceased is
also a foreigner, this is the reason why I could not do this deal alone
as a citizen of my country and true God fearing man to help me in one
foreigner account to do this.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 35% of the
total sum as gratification, while 1% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 64% will be for me and my partners. Please, you have been
advised to keep "Top Secret" as we are still in service and intend to retire
from service after we conclude this deal with you. And I assure you that
this transaction will not last more than 10 working days and you confirm the
money in your account.
I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account. And ask us to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when
I hear from you.

I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in this
deal. I am expecting your urgent reply as soon as you receive this message
.try and contact me with my email address mrpetersmith_22@yahoo.com
Yours faithfully,
Mr.Peter Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam