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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:
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Samuel Williams" <mr20_sam@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsam_2@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:18:11 +0100
Subject: INHERITANCE

FROM THE OFFICE OF MR. SAMUEL WILLIAMS
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING DEPT,
ECOWAS BANK BENIN (EBB)
COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC

PLEASE KEEP THE CONTENT OF THIS E-MAIL CONFIDENTIAL
Let me start by introducing myself,I am Mr.Samuel
williams auditing and accounting dept of the ECO BANK.I have
an urgent business suggestion for you.
I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much
embarrassment by contacting you through this means for
a transaction of this magnitude,but this is due to
confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this
medium.Further more,due to this issue on my hands
now,it became neccesary for me to seek your
assistance, and it is imperative for me to know your
opinion.Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Major
Fadi Groot who was with the Iraqi forces and also
business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18
calendar months, with a value of US$10.500.000(Ten
Millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars)
only in my branch.
Upon maturity several notice was sent to him, even
during the war early 2006. Again after the war
another notification was sent and still no response
came from him.We later find out that the Major and his
family had been killed during the war in bomb blast
that hit their home.After further investigation it was
also discovered that Major Fadi Groot did not
declare any next-of-kin in his official papers
including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he
also confided in me the last time he was at my office
that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank.
So,(Ten Millions Five Hundred Thousand United
State Dollars)is still lying in my bank and no one
will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me
most is that according to the laws of my country at
the expiration 3 years the funds will revert to the
ownership of the Benin Government if nobody applies
to claim the funds.
Against this backdrop,my suggestion to you is that I
will like you as a foreigner to stand as the
next-of-kin to Major Fadi Groot so that you will be
able to receive his funds. WHAT IS TO BE DONE:
I want you to know that I have had everything planned
out so that we shall come out successful.I have
contacted an attorney that will prepare the neccessary
document that will back you up as the next-of-kin to
Major Fadi Groot ,all that is required from you at
this stage is for you to provide me with your Full
Name,Nationality and BANK A/C,Address so that the
attorney can commence his job.After you have been made
the next-of-kin, the attorney will also file in for
claims on your behalf and secure the neccessary
approval and letter of probate in your favor for the
move of the funds to an account that will be provided
by you.There is no risk involved at all in the matter
as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the
attorney will prepare all the neccessary documents.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all
matters concerning this issue.Once the funds have been
transferred to your nominated bank account we shall
share in the ratio of 60% for me,30% for you and 10%
for any expenses incure during the transaction.Your
earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Best Regards
Mr.Samuel williams

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam