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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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)
  • "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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (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: "moses1970" <moses1970@terra.com.mx>
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2006 08:05:54 -0600
Subject: THANKS FROM MOSES


Mr Moses Adedoyin
Chartered bank Plc,
Lagos-Nigeria.

My Dear friend,

I got your contact through the internet and I decided to reach you
because presently i am in desperate need of a trust worthy foreign person
for this proposal. I am Mr Moses Adedoyin, Branch Manager, Chartered
bank Plc,I am 44 years old,married with five children.

In January 2003, one of my customer(foreigner) who was a
consultant/contractor with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power, made a numbered
time Fixed) Deposit, valued at US$11,500,000.00 (Eleven Million, Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), for twelve (12) calendar months
in my Bank branch. Upon maturity, we sent a routine notification to his
forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder
and finally we discovered from his contract employers that he is no
longer on earth.

The said fund is still in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over
with the principal sum at the end of each year. in accordance with the
Nigerian Federal Law, at the expiration of 4 (four) years, the money
will be revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody come
for the claim. Consequently, I shall present you as the next of kin,
hence you are a foreigner and the money will be share in the ratio of 60%
for me, 40% for you .

There is no risk involved as i will use my position as the Branch Bank
Manager to secure approvals and guarantee the successful execution of
this transaction within 7- working days. If this proposal interest you I
shall send to you the Detailed Informations on how this business would
be successfully transacted.

please include your private phone number for voice contact. Look
forward for your urgent reply.

Thanks,

Best regards.

Mr,Moses Adedoyin
PLEASE REPLY THROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAI BOX: moses1969@walla.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam