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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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22997378615 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "David Lumbaka" <davlumbaka5@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: davlumbaka2@yahoo.com.br
Date: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 22:17:17 +0100
Subject: STRICTLY PERSONAL

STRICTLY PERSONAL

Dear Friend,

My Greetings to you.

This letter may come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a
day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. I am
Mr. David Lumbaka, Currently Head of Corporate Affairs Department with
African Development bank here in Cotonou - Benin Republic in West Africa.

I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with
the information I am about to reveal to you. I have an urgent and very
confidential business proposition for you. On June 5th 1999,an international
business man who owned a flourishing business establisment here in Benin
made a Fixed deposit for 60 calendar months, valued at $ 25,500,000.00
(Twenty five Million, five hundred thousand Dollars only) in my bank and I
happened to be his account officer before I was moved to my present position
recently. The maturity date for this deposit contract was 3rd of April 2004.
Before this date I have tried my possible best to locate his Next of Kin,
but all efforts prooved abortive, because all his family died in the plane
crash of Egyptian airline flight - 990, with other passengers on board which
took place on 31st October 1999, some months after he did the deposit in my
bank.You can read more stories about the plane crash by visiting this site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/americas/502503.stm

With the recent change of Bank Central Government in my country and with
their efforts to support the United Nations in checkmating terrorism aid in
the Benin - On May this year, the Federal Government and the Banking
Government passed a new Financial Control Law which gave the Government
authority to interrogate all Foreign account owners of above five million
Dollars to explain the source of the funds, making sure it is not for
terrorism support. If I do not move this money out of the country
immediately, by november the Government will definitely confiscate the money
because my bank cannot provide the account owner to explain the source of
the money since he is late.

I decided to utilize this life time opportunity, instead of Government
confiscating them, but I cannot directly claim the money without the help of
a foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for an assistance.

As the Account Officer to the deceased, coupled with my present position and
status in the bank, I have some vital information that can help for the
release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the Next of Kin to
the account, with the correct information concerning the account, which I
will provide. I am having the secret Code for the account,which only the
account owner or his Next of Kin can know.

I will supply all necessary information we need for the claim and there is
practically no risk involved.The transaction will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

If you accept to work with me, I want you to state how you wish us to share
the funds in percentage so that both parties will be satisfied. I will
explain to you in details how we will handle the transaction once i receive
your response and your full contact details. Please, treat with utmost
confidentiality.

Thanking you in advance and may God bless you. You may call me at
00229-97378615


I await your urgent response.

Yours sincerely,

David Lumbaka

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam