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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:
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  • union_smithpaul@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • info_smithpaul@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Smith Paul <union_smithpaul@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 13:39:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: HIGHLY URGENT


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

Mr.SMITH PAUL

(BRANCH MANAGER)

UNION BANK PLC ,

LAGOS NIGERIA.

My Dear,

I am Mr.SMITH PAUL Bank Manager of UNION BANK PLC of Nigeria,Lagos Branch.I made up my mind with trust to contact you for an urgent and very confidential business, knowing fully well that we had no previous dealings before.

On December 6, 1998, an American Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mrs.MONICA BRYANT made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$17,800,000.00(Seventeen Million eight hundred thousand Dollars) in my branch.Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to her forwarding address but got no reply.After a month,we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from her contract employers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mrs.MONICA BRYANT died from a ghastly automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out that she died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mrs.MONICA BRYANT did not declare any next of kin or relations in all her official documents, including her Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$17,800,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year.No one will ever come forward to claim it.According to Nigerian Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim this fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foriegner to stand in as the next of kin to Mrs.MONICA BRYANT so that the fruits of this woman's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.This is simple as long am here to direct and provide you with every in formation required.

please feel free to provide immediately your full names and address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits which will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall employ the services of an Attorneys for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents

and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer.

We would need you as a Foreigner acting as the next of kin and sole benefactor to the inheritance of Mrs.MONICA BRYANT to forward a calaim form to this Bank which am going to secure for you to claim this money into your bank account. The money will be paid to you for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 30% for you and 10% for any expenses incurred during the transaction.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.

If you are interested, please reply immediately via the private email address below. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. All i want from you is honest and trustworthy.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply please.

Regards.

Mr.SMITH PAUL

MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS IS: info_smithpaul@yahoo.com



- Smith Paul

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam