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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:
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: TOM PHILS <tomphils_1@msn.com>
Reply-To: tomphils1960@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:09:58 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE

Mr. Tom Phils.
Globe Trust Plc
Lagos Nigeria.

I am Mr. Tom Phils, a banker with Globe Trust Plc, here in Nigeria. I am an
account Officer to Mr. Scott, from your country, who used to work with Shell
Oil Development Company in Nigeria.

On the 30 Jan 2000, my client, his wife and their two children were involved
in the Kenya airways flight with registration number 5Y-BEN which departed
from Nairobi to Lagos. Since then I have made several enquiries to your
embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track 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 before they get
confiscated or declared unserviceable by Globe Trust Plc where this huge
deposit was lodged.

Particularly, Globe Trust Plc where the deceased had an account valued at
about US$20Million has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have
the account confiscated within the 6 weeks.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
to have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at
US$20Million can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. 60%
to me, 35% to you and 5% for any expenses we might run into during this
transaction.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I gaurantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in
touch with me immediately with the following information stated below, as I
do not have much time in my disposal.

1, Your full name and address.
2. Your place and date of birth.
3. Your occupation.
4. Your direct telephone/fax number.

I will await your soonest reply.

Best Regards,

Mr. Tom Phils.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam