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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • gakokofelix0013@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: =?big5?q?Akoko=20Felix?= <akokofelix0013@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: akokofelix009@yahoo.dk
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2006 01:41:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Urgent .


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Gakokofelix0013@yahoo.com.hk

Dear Beloved Friend,


I am Mr.Akoko Felix,General Manager of Union bank of Nigeria PLC,Plot 112 Marina Lagos branch.I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.


On December 8, 2002, an American Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mrs.Ann Barbara Myers made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$17,000,000.00(Seventeen Million 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.Ann Barbara Myers died from a ghastly automobile accident.On further investigation, I found out that she died without making a WILL,and all attempts to trace her next of kin was fruitless.


I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mrs.Ann Barbara Myers 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$17,000,000.00 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 foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mrs.Ann Barbara Myers so that the fruits of this woman's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.This is simple, I will like you 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 to Mrs.Ann Barbara Myers.


We shall employ the services of two Attorneys for drafting andnotarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.


We would need you as a Foreigner acting as the next of kin and sole benefactor to the inheritance of Mrs.Ann Barbara Myers.The money will be paid to you for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and 30% for you.There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney and with my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.



If you are interested,please reply immediately.


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.



Waiting your urgent reply.


Regards.



Mr.Akoko Felix.

General Manager

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc,Lagos Branch



- Akoko Felix

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam