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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:
  • "i will like you to " (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348033705489 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "thamos bankole" <thamos_bank3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: thamos_bank@irangate.net
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:20:14 +0000
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU?

Dear Sir,

I am MR THAMOS BANKOLE. from the First Bank of
Nigeria Plc,Lagos Branch.I got your contact
through.the internet I have urgent and very
confidential business proposal for you. On
June 6, 1999, an America Oil consultant/contractor
with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,Mr.
Charles Ballassi made a numbered time (fixed) deposit
for twelve calendar months, valued at
US$30,Million(thirthy million dollars )in my branch
upon maturity.

I sent a rountine notification to his forwarding
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.Charles Ballassi died in the
plane crash of 31 October 1999[with Egyptian (990)
with other passengers aboard .

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. Charles Ballassi
did not declare any next of kin or relations in all
his official documents,including his bank deposit
paperwork in my bank.

This sum ofUS$30m is still in my bank and the interest
is being rolled over with the pricipal sum at the end
of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim
it.Accordingto 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.
Charles Ballassi 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
preparethe 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 ecessary
documents and letter of probate/administration in your
favour for the transfer.Any banka ccount 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 60% for me and 30% for you.
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 ths 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
thetransaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest
assured that this transaction would be most profitable
for both of us because i shall require your assitance
to invest my share in your country. Please upon the
reciept of this mail, send to me the following to
enable start the process of the fund into your bank
account:
1. Your full Name and address 2. The name of your bank
name,address and account number
3. Your private Telephone and fax numbers
Awaiting your urgent reply,you are free to call me on
my telephone number (+234-8033705489)

Thanks and regards,

MR THAMOS BANKOLE.

MANAGER,FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA Plc

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam