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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:
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "mikejohnson1" <mikejohnson1@terra.com.mx>
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 01:43:10 -0600
Subject: Chief Accountant Floodgate Merchant Bank Ltd.Lagos Nigeria


Mr. Mike Johnson
Chief Accountant Floodgate Merchant Bank Ltd.

Telephone:

Attn:

I am Mr. Mike Johnson, the personal accounting officer to a deceased Mr. William Smith national of your country, who uses to work with shell Development Company in Nigeria. On the 21st of April 2000, The deceased Mr. William Smith, his wife And their three children were involve in a car accident along express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of the deceased Mr. William Smith extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his surname over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by the deceased before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank, where these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Floodgate Merchant Bank Ltd where the deceased had an account valued at about 16.5million dollars.

Floodgate Merchant Bank has issued me a notice as his accounting officer to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days. As soon as you get back to me, the deceased full name will be given to you as i have it in my record. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 yearsnow, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, since you have the same surname so that the proceeds of this account valued at 16.5million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me 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 honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Awaiting for your immediate response so as to discuss the joint sharing formular (WITH YOUR CONTACT PHONE AND FAX FOR COMMUNICATION AND TO SENT THE DOCUMENT OF THE FUNDS) YOU CAN CALL ME ON#

Best Regards

Mr. Mike Johnson
Chief Accountant Floodgate Merchant Bank Ltd.Lagos Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam