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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Tony Ede <tony_ede92@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrtonyede78@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 14:02:05 +0100
Subject: Dear Steff



Dear Steff

I am Mr.Tony Ede , an accountant with one of the reputable banks in Nigeria. I am also an accounts officer to late Mr. Mark
Steff, a National of your country, who was a contractor with shell Development Company in Nigeria. On the 1st of April 2004, Mr.Mark, his wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu express-road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have been trying to locate any of Mr.Mark extended relatives,but this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his similar name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contact you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by Mr.Mark before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now. I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have similar name with Mr Mark so that the proceeds of this account valued at about $9.5million Dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 40% for you.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. As soon as I hear from you I will detail you on the process of the transaction.
Regards,
Mr.Tony Ede.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam