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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • c324b@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Charles Brown <c324b@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: cb180@universal.pt
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 08:52:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Private & confidential:please get back to me


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: c324b@yahoo.com

Greetings,


TRANSFER OF US$18,000,000 ( EIGHTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ) INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.


I am Mr. Charles Brown, a Canadian Attorney based in Manchester, United Kingdom and the personal attorney to Late Mr. Mark Michelle a citizen of France. Late Mr. Mark Michelle was a private oil consultant/ contractor with the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Saudi Arabia before his death, hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.


On the 21st day of April 2000, my client and his wife along with their three children were involved in a ghastly motor accident. All occupants in the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then, I have made several enquiries from the French embassies to locate his next of kin or any of his extended relatives, but all to no avail.


My client made a deposit in a Security and Finance institution valued presently at $18,000,000.00 (Twelve Million United States Dollars) and the company has issued me an official notification to provide his next of kin or beneficiary by will, otherwise the account will be confiscated within the next sixty (60) working days.


Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any of my late client's relatives for three (3) years now, I now seek your consent to permit me present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary of my late client so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.


I am willing to offer you 35% of the total sum as a reward for your efforts in assisting me, while I take 50% of the total sum. The 5% of the fund will serve as reimbursement of expenses both local and international any of us will make in the course of this transaction. While we shall collectively donate the remaining balance of 10% to Tsunami Relief Organisations.


Consider this proposal and get back to me as soon as possible so that I furnish you with more details on how we shall proceed. Please, provide me with the following information:


1. Your telephone and fax numbers.

2. Your complete location address.

3. Your occupation


I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Happy New Year !


Best

regards,


Mr. Charles Brown




- Charles Brown

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam