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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)
• 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.
  • colesmith_mail@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "cole smith" <colesmith_01@msn.com>
Reply-To: colesmith_mail@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 17:14:24 +0000
Subject: From.MR.COLE SMITH

Attn:My Good Friend.

I am COLE SMITH of "Alvares And Associates Esq" the personal Attorney
to one Mr. Golden
Graham who worked with the Shell-Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) in
Nigeria.
On the 21st of April 1999, my client, his wife and their two children
were involved in a auto-crash along the ever busy Sagumu-Ibadan High
Way.
All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then
I have made several enquires to their embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relations but to no avail. Hence the need to get in touch
with you as one who i can present to the Bank as the cousin/next of kin
to mylate client.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
lodge.Particularly,the finance company Where the deceased had an account
valued at about
$22.5 Million Dollars has issue me a notice to provide the next of
kin of the deceased or have the account confiscated within a shot
Period of time.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3
yearsnow I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the
deceased, so that the proceeds of this Account valued at $22.5 million
dollars
can be paid to you and Then you and me can share the money. 60% to me
and 40% to You. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used To
backup any claim we may make.
All I require is your Honest cooperation to enable this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the Law. Please get in touch
with my email and send to me your Telephone and fax numbers to enable us
further about this Transaction.

Please send your reply to my personal email address
colesmith_mail@hotmail.com
Best regards,
MR.COLE SMITH

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam