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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:
  • "huge deposit" (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)
• 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.
  • ambutic@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "butic ezems" <butic2009ezems@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 09:56:27 +0100
Subject: very urgent and private

ESCRAVOS GAS PROJECT PHASE 3B
GAS GATHERING AND COMPRESSION
PLATFORM
CHEVRON NIGERIA LIMITED
(Operator of the NNPC/CNLJoint Venture)

Dear

I am Ambutic Ezems, I am the Personal Accountant to Mr.Fredrick ,a
foreigner, who used to work with ESCRAVOS GAS PROJECT PHASE 3B IN NIGERIA.On
the 2nd of Dec.2002, my client,his wife and their two children where
involved in a Boat wreckage along Escravos River,Bight of Benin,Nigeria.
All occupants of the Boat unfortunately lost there lives.Since then I have
made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives from
his contact address, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to trace his relatives
over the Internet, to locate any member of his family and fortunately, I
came across your name which was the same name as my client, hence I
contacted you. I contact you to come forward and inherit the estate left
behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable
by the Finance House where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the
Finance House where the deceased had an account valued at about US$13
million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have
the account confisicated, since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the the
relatives for over 1 year now I seek your conscent to present you as the
next of kin of the deceased since you a foreigner and foreign account is
what I need to process and transfer the money.

So that the proceeds of this account valued at US$13 million can be paid to
you and then you and me can split the money in the ratio of 50/50%.The split
will be done after the receipt of the deposit by you of what is left. I have
to generate the legal documents that will legalise your acceptance as the
next of kin.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal
through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
I await your urgent response
Best regards,
Ambutic Ezems
Note below:Please reply through my private email box:ambutic@hotmail.com

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam