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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)
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: =?us-ascii?Q?steven=20philip2006?= <stevenphilip2006@seznam.cz>
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:19:31 +0100 (CET)
Subject: =?us-ascii?Q?DEAR=20FRIEND=2C?=

DEAR FRIEND,

I am Barr Steven philip, a solicitor at law. I am the Personal Attorney to
ENGR. MIKE. An American who has lived in Nigeria for the past Twenty
years working as a Petroleum Engineer and whom shall be referred to as my
client.In April 1999, my client was involved in a fatal car accident along
Lagos/shagamu express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately
lost their lives; my client was one of them.

I have contacted you because my client deposited sum amount valued
$8.million into a Bank here in Nigeria and since he has nobody stated in
the banking deposit files as his next of kin and he did not make his wil
Before his untimely death. I decided to reach you so that we can both
work in hand to claimthis fund instead of allowing it to be confiscated
or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were
lodged.United Bank for Africa Plc is where he deposited the money and they
have issued me a notice to provide the Next of kin within a limited time
or the Bank may declare the fund as Unclaimed and pay it into the
Government account.

I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the deceased
because i believe you will be very reliable person since you are a
foriegner and so that the proceeds of this deposited valued at $8.million
dollars can be paid to you as my client's Next of Kin, and then we can
share the amount on a mutual agreed percentage.
All legal documents to back up your claim as the deceased Next of Kin will
be provided by me since I am his personal attorney,all I require is your
honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee you
that this transaction will be executedunder a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law.Indicate your interest
by sending the below informations:

1. Your full name and address:
2. Your telephone /mobile
3. Your Occupation:
Please get in touch with me For further correspondence.
Warmest Regards,
Steven philip,Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam