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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "keep this confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2348039550025 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • adol_offor1962@yahoo.ca

Fraud email example:

From: Adolphus Offor <adol_offor1962@yahoo.ca>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 06:34:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Your Kind Urgent Reply.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: adol_offor1962@yahoo.ca



Dear friend,



I am"Mr.Adolphus O.Offor"a bank manager in one of the Standard Trust Bank

Nig.PLC branch here in Lagos Nigeria. I am the personal accountant manager

to"Engr.Jeff. Edwards"a national of your country, who used to work with

shell Development Company here in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to me as my client. On the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along sagamu/Benin express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.



Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his name over the Internet to see if I could get anybody that answer or bears the same name with him in your country who I will present and stand as the Next of Kin, hence I

contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in claiming the said funds of

US$19.7 Million United States Dollars before the Standard Trust Bank Nig.PLC

confiscated or declared unserviceable particularly, the Bank (Standard Trut

Bank Nig PLC"STB") where the deceased had deposited the fund valued at about US$19.7 Million United States Dollars. Our Bank Borads of Trustees has

issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the Fund confiscated

within the nextten official working days.



Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the Relatives for over two years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same name so that the proceeds of this Fund valued at US$19.7 Million United States Dollars can be claimed by you and then you and I can share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your Full name and address, your private telephone and fax numbers for easy access to Communication.


All I need from you is honest, Co-operation to enable us seeing this deal

through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement

that will protect you from any breach of the law and remember to keep this

confidential.



Please get in touch with me by my email or you can use this alternative

email address: adolphus_offor1962@walla.com



Yours Faithfully.



Adolphus.O.Offor



Tel+234-803-955-0025.



- Adolphus Offor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam