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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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 sum of money" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Smith <michaelsmith@zonai.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 23:06:42 -0800
Subject: Greetings from British Isles.


Greetings from British Isles.

My name is Michael B.Smith. I am the Head, Audit
Committee of a reputable and well known Financial
Trust here in Isle of Man. I am contacting you in a
non-official capacity and therefore require your
utmost confidentiality. The purpose of my writing to
you is because I am searching for a foreign business
partner who is in a position to assist me with an
urgent business proposal, as time is not on my side.
A partner, who understands what confidentiality means
and who has the necessary facilities required in
embarking on this important venture.

We had a client who deposited a huge sum of money with
one of our branches in Europe, who later died in a
fatal car accident on November 12,2001. The client
died intestate and nominated no successor in title
over the investments made with our bank. Since the
death of this client, I personally have watched with
keen interest to see the next of kin but all has
proved abortive as no one has come to claim his funds
of €11,700,000.00 (Eleven Million, Seven Hundred
Thousand Euros) deposited with our bank in 2000. This
client shares the same surname with you. It is for
this reason that I am contacting you.

In accordance with the European Trust and Federal
Laws, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, his
investments with our bank shall revert to ownership of
the government of the country of the said investments
if nobody applies as the next of kin to claim the
investments. Since you share the same surname with
this client, I want to present you to stand in as the
next of kin so that you and I can benefit from this
investment equally (i.e. 50% for you and 50% for me).
I guarantee that this will be executed under
legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any
breach of the law, as I will use my position to secure
approvals and guarantee the successful execution of
this transaction. If this proposal is acceptable to
you, kindly indicate your full names, your private
telephone, fax numbers and location where the money
will be remitted. I will instruct you on the next
step to take.

I look forward to your earliest response.

With warm greetings,

Michael B.Smith.
38-40 Victoria Street,
Douglas,
Isle of Man, IM1 2LB
Tel/Fax:44-702-407-4035

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam