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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "myles goodson" <myles_goodson_1@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:18:41 +0000
Subject: Get back to me.

Dear Sir,

I am Mr Myles Goodson, Manager Eco-Bank Plc in Lagos. On June 6, 2004, a
white man who claimed to be a Consultant with the Exxon Mobil oil company in
Lagos, Mr. Alfred Plake made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for Twelve
Calendar months, to the tune of 15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million, Pounce
Sterling) in my Branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his
forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, I wrote a reminder and
finally I discovered from his employers, Exxon Mobil Corporation that Mr.
Alfred Plake died in an explosion while working on one of their Oil Rigs.On
further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL. I
therefore made additional investigation and discovered that Mr.Alfred Plake
did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents,
including his Bank Deposit papers in our possession.

The sum of 15,000,000.00, which represents Capital and Interest on the
deposit, has been carefully moved out of my bank to a security company for
safekeeping.No one will ever come forward to claim it. According to our
Banking Rule Act of 1990, at the expiration of 5 (Five) years,the money will
revert to the ownership of the Government if nobody applies to claim the
fund. I would want you as a person that does not reside in my country to
stand in as his Next of Kin. You will then be entitled to the deposit. I
will prepare all the paper work and necessary vital documents involved and
as the manager of the branch and custodian of the deposit.I will ensure that
all the documents regarding this Money reflect your name as the next of Kin
to Late Mr. Alfred Plake.

I am offering you 25% for your effort. I want to assure you that there is
virtually no risk on your person as you will not be made to appear in person
and all the paper work will be prepared in your name by me. To achieve this
you will first of all, assure me that you will maintain strict
confidentiality on this information because of my position in the bank and
must assure me that you will not make away with the money when it gets into
your possession and that no harm will befall me when I join you to invest my
share of the money in your country.Your reply is urgently needed. Upon your
response, I shall then provide you with more details.

Regards.
Mr Myles Goodson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam