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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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "DR,CHARLES OBOSAH" <charlesobsah_nig1@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 19:35:20 +0530
Subject: KINDLY REPLY.

FROM THE DESK OF
DR,CHARLES OBOSAH
MUTUAL TRUST BANK [P.L.C]
HEAD QUATERS BRANCH
VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS-NIGERIA.
DEAR FRIEND,

My name is DR CHARLES OBOSAH, INTERNAL AUDITOR MUTUAL TRUST BANK PLC. I am writing in respect of a foreign customer of our bank Mr.JONATHAN GHUNIAM with account number 14-255-2004/ASTB/123-99 who perished in an auto-crash in october 15 2003.

Since the demise of this our customer, I personally has 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 US$9..5m (Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), which has been with our branch for a very long time.

On this note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as the next of kin as no one has come up to be the next of kin.
The banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay more than four years, because money will be recalled to the bank treasury as unclaimed after this period. In view of this, I decided to seek through internet whom to confine in for this transaction. I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased.

So that the proceeds of this
account valued at $9.5 million dollars can be paid to your account for sharing. 65% to me and 30% to you, while 5% should be for reimbursement of incidental expenses that may be incured during the transaction or tax as your government may require.

I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is hitch free safe and
legal
.we have to hire
an attorney who will protect you legally,and for benefit of
doubt position you as the next of kin and beneficiary.that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer can be finalized as soon as possible.

When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail on this mail box including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers and your address for quick communication.

REPLY THROUGH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS

Your Friend

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam