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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Eric Jordan" <ericjordan01@msn.com>
Reply-To: ericjordan@universia.com.br
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 15:19:06 +0000
Subject: Attn: Reply Asap




REF:DBP/OG/XX140/02
FROM THE DESK OF: MR. ERIC JORDAN
TREASURY CONTROLLER
DIAMOND BANK PLC.

ATTN: Dear ,

I am Mr. Eric Jordan,. treasury controller diamond bank plc. I have very
strict and confidential discussion to make with you. On the 3rd June, 2001
an American Oil Consultant/Contractor with shell petroleum Nigeria Plc, in
the name of Engr. Michael Watson made a numbered time (fixed) deposit for
twelve calendar months valued at US$18.4million dollars in our branch here
in Lagos.

On maturity, we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address, but
got no reply. After a month, we sent him a reminder and finally his
contract employers, the Shell Petroleum Nigeria Plc, wrote to us that Engr.
Michael Watson died in an automobile accident and that he diedwithout MAKING
A WILL and all attempts by the American embassy to trace his next of kin was
fruitless.

I therefore, made further investigation and discovered that Engr. Michael
Watson was infact an immigrant from Papua New Guinea and only obtained an
American green card. He did not declare any kin or relations in all his
official documents, including his deposit paper work in our bank.

The total amount US$18.4 Million dollars is still sitting in our bank as
dormant account, know one will ever come forward to claim it and according
to the Law of Nigeria after ten years the money will revert to the ownership
of the Nigerian government IF THE ACCOUNT OWNER IS CERTIFIED DEAD.

This is the situation and my proposal to you is that I am looking for a
trustworthy and humble foreigner who will stand in as the next of kin.

This whole amount of money totalled US$18.4 Million dollars will be shared
thus:

1. 35% will be yours as the beneficiary of the account

2. 45% will be Mine and the remaining

3. 19% will be invested in your country for us in any business you deem
fit.

I am looking forward to hear from you soonext

Best regards
Mr. Eric Jordan
TREASURY CONTROLLER

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam