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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)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum 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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "CHARLES ISRAEL" <c121israel@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: c121israel@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2006 12:34:17 +0000
Subject: HELLO MY GOOD FRIEND!!!

From The Desk Of,
Dr. Charles Israel,
Auditing and Accounting Unit,
Foreign Operations Department,
Capital Trust Finance Co.,LTD,
Victoria Island,
Lagos-Nigeria.

Dear Friend,

I am Dr.Charles Israel one of the Directors in charge of Auditing and
Accounting section of Capital Trust Finance Co.,LTD and also Chairman of
Investigating and Auditing Department of this Finance Company.

With due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a Business
Transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us and our families in
future.During our Investigation and Auditing in this Finance Company, my
department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to one of our
Deceased client Mr.Morris Thompson 61 years,of Fairbanks, Alaska America who
died on January 31st 2000 with Alaska Airlines Flight 261.He was a very
important business man and operates/owns alot of business conclumarates both
in America and all around the world including Nigeria.

You can as well confirm it by yourself through under stated Website of the
incident http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/
As the fund has been dormant in his account with this Finance Company
without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or
relation because he did not indicate any next of kin to this account incase
of death such as these.
Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and
partners to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful
during the time of execution.The said amount is U.SD6.5m (Six million,Five
hundred thousand United States Dollars).

Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this Finance Company, and the Director of
Auditing and Accounting, I have in my possession all the necessary documents
to perfect this deal by making you the bonafide next of kin/Partner whom
this money will be transferred to.
I need your assistance and co-operation to get this deal done. Because as a
foreigner, you stand a better position to be presented through documentation
as the next of kin/Partner since the deceased is also a foreigner,this is
the reason why I could not do this deal alone as a Nigerian and a staff of
the Finance Company as well.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.On
smooth Conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 25% of the
total sum as gratification,while 5% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 70% will be for me and my partners.
Please, you have been advised to keep this "Top Secret" as we are still in
service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with
you. And I assure you that this transaction will not last more than 10
working days and you confirm the money in your account.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account. And ask us to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment,either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in.

If you are intereted in geting this transaction done,please furnish me with
the information below for easy processing of the transfer;
Your full name................
Contact address..............
Telephone number..........
Fax number(if any)..........
Age..............................
Sex..............................

All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from
you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in
this deal. I am expecting

Your urgent reply as soon as you receive this message.

God bless you And your family.

Best Regards,

Dr.Charles Israel

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam