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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "huge amount 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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447031916143 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • hrmfred202@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • hrmfred202@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Fred Williams <hrmfred202@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: hrmfred_williams@myway.com
Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 09:38:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: URGENT REPLY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: hrmfred202@yahoo.com

From: Mr. Fred Williams.

Alpha Bank London Ltd.,

London, United Kingdom.

e-mail:hrmfred202@hotmail.com

Tel: +447031916143


Greetings, I am Mr. Fred Williams, Foreign banking operations manager Of the above mentioned bank in the UK. However I got your contact through the International web directory. I decided to contact you by email because I feel that it is more secure and private.


Recently, we discovered a Dormant Account with a huge amount of Money Valued at USD9, 000,000.00 (Nine Million US Dollars only) that belonged to one of our Customers. It was discovered upon further Investigation that the account belonged to Late Engr. Thompson Morris An American citizen who unfortunately lost his life in a fatal plane crash in 1999. He died interstate, not living a will or a next of kin.


The fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim from anyone .The banking law here stipulates that if such money remains unclaimed for Seven years, it will be forfeited to the Bank treasury as an unclaimed bill. In this case, it is only a foreigner that can stand as a next of kin and it is upon this discovery that I decided to contact you to collaborate with you to pull out this dormant fund. I on behalf of my two trusted colleagues now seek your permission to have you stand in as next of

kin to our late Customer so that the fund will be released and paid into your account as the beneficiary to the estate of the deceased. The bank still awaits a next of kin as the expiry of the extra six months added will expire in two Months time.


In fact we could have done this deal alone but this cannot be achieved since as staff It will not be possible for us to stand as next of kin to the deceased. This will raise eyebrows and it might cost us our jobs. It is absolutely necessary to ask your assistance to make claims as the next of kin and also provide either an existing bank account or to set up a new Bank a/c immediately to receive this fund, even an empty a/c can also serve for this purpose.


On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to a 25% as gratification for your assistance, 5% for expenses and taxes as required by your government and the remaining 70% will be for me and my partners. What I want from you is for you to act as the deceased next of kin. I have in my possession, all the necessary Documents to successfully accomplish the operation. Bear in mind that this proposal is 100% risk free if you follow my instructions to the letter.


Further Information will be given to you as soon as I receive your positive response. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish.


I await your Urgent Response


Regards


Fred Williams.





- Fred Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam