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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (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)
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Edris Denedo" <edrisdenedo@blackglobalnetwork.net>
Reply-To: e_denedo11@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:43:03 -0500
Subject: Letter Of Intent!!



Letter Of Intent!!
From The Desk Of:
Mr.Edris Denedo
Branch Accountant
Union Bank Plc.,
V/Island Lagos


ATTN:Sir/Madam


I am Mr.Edris Denedo Branch Accountant Union Bank of Nig. Plc,l know
this proposal will come to you as a surprise because we have not met
before either physically or through correspondence,and I have no doubt
in your ability to handle this proposal involving huge sum of money.


On June 6, 1999, an America Oil consultant/contractor, Mr. Charles
Fredrick with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, made a
numbered time (fixed) deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at
US$15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million United States Dollars) in my branch
upon maturity.


I sent a rountine notification to his forwarding address but got no
reply.After a month,we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from
his contract employers,the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
that he died in the plane crashof 31 October 1999 with Egyptian 990
with otherpassengers aboard.


On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a
WILL,and attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.I therefore
made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Charles Fredrick
did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his bank deposit paperwork in my bank. This sum
of US$15,000, 000.00 is still in my bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the pricipal sum at the end of each year.No one will
ever come forward to claim it.According to Nigerian law, at the
expiration of (five)years, the money will revert to the ownership of
the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.


Consequently,my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand as the next of kin to Mr. Charles Fredrick so that the fruit of
this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt
Government officials,and I shallemploy the service of an Attorney for
the drafting and notarizati! on ! of the WILL an!d obtain the
necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your
favour for the transfer in any bank account in any part of the world
which you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money
to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into
your account for us to share in ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you.
There is no risk at all, the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees
the successful execution of ths transaction.


Upon your responce indicating your interest in the transaction,kindly
forward to me your full name, contact address including your telephone
and fax numbers and I shall provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand the transaction. Please
observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this
transaction would bemost profitable for both of us because I shall
require your assitance toinv! ! est my share in your country.


Thanks for your anticipated assistance.


I wait to hearing from you.


Best Regards,


Mr.Edris Denedo
Branch Accountant
Union Bank of Plc

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam