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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:
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Usman Danbaba <drusmandanbaba@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:55:25 +0100
Subject: TRANSFER OF $148,948,500.00



Plot 1551, Richmond AvenueG.R.A – Enugu234-80-34863278 TRANSFER OF $148,948,500.00 ON ACCOUNT NUMBER 262-866-5050 I am contacting you in the belief that you are an honest and trustworthy person. I hope you will not betray the confidence I have in you to have contacted you even though we’ve not met before. Besides, I only got your address from an internet listing. I am Dr Usman Danbaba, Head of Banking Operations, Eastern Banking Unit of one of the biggest banks in Africa. I will not mention the name of the bank I work for security reasons, but promise to disclose it to you as soon as I am convinced that you are capable and willing to assist me with this transaction. I hope this does not turn you off anyway; I am only being cautious. The account numbers mentioned above belong to the late Engr Philip De Wulf, a Belgian who was the Managing Director of Energy Services International ESI, a petrol and oil servicing company. This company has been a household name in the downstream sector of my country for its professional service provision especially in the late 80s, but after the death of Engr Wulf everything began to take a rather retrogressive trend largely due to the inefficiency of his successor. I personally manage the accounts of this company as well as the personal account of Engr PD Wulf. Shortly before his death in a ghastly motor accident which claimed his life and that of his newly married wife Mrs Debra Wulf in 1993, I had received some receivables in the form of cheque payment on behalf of my esteemed customer, Engr Wulf, and since he instructed that all personal cheques be paid to his online account, I followed the instruction to the letter. However, as a result of his death, this account remained unserviced for a long time, neither was there any person named next of kin. The net balance of this account till date is one hundred and forty-eight million, nine hundred and forty-eight thousand, five hundred United States dollars ($148,948,500.00). According to the Banking and Other Financial Act 1991 (as amended) of my country, if such deposit is not claimed twelve years after the demise of the account holder, the Board of Directors should recommend to the federal authorities that efforts were actually made to establish the next of kin but due to non was specified by the deceased, that the federal government should inherit the account. The actual fact on the ground is that the directors do not return such money to the federal authorities, instead they share and stash it in their foreign accounts amongst themselves. This should go far to explain why the bank is not making any effort in trying to locate any relation of this man for about a decade now but individual investigation conducted by myself shows that there is no information about his relations mentioned in any of the account opening documents filed at the bank.All I want you to do is to collaborate with me by standing in as the beneficiary because management is ready to approve the remittance of the money to any foreigner who has correct information of this account. Besides, I would use my position to facilitate prompt remittance of the fund. Send to me immediately your business profile as well as your bank account information of any bank of your choice where you want the money to be transferred. You may open a new account if you so wish. If for any reason you think you’re incapable of this transaction, you may recommend anybody whose integrity is not in doubt. I shall however provide you with directives on what to do as we proceed. Contact me on my private telephone numbers above or through my email address with information about your full contact addresses including personal telephone & fax numbers and bank information immediately if you are interested. As soon as I get this information and I am convinced that you are capable to do this transaction, I will consult a probate lawyer on your behalf as the beneficiary for the drafting and notarisation of the will and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour so as to put you in a better position as the beneficiary. Please, you have to be elaborate in your profile to enable me to make a good assessment about your desirability. I shall tell you the name of my bank soon after I am convinced of your personality. I also need strong assurances from you to the effect that you can guarantee the safety of the money when it gets to your account. However, I want you to understand that as a man of strong character it beats my conscience that I have to do this deal for two strong reasons. Firstly, to curtail the excesses of the directors and secondly to plan ahead of my retirement which is just few months from now. In view of this, you may be approached after the transfer to provide me with investment advice as I plan to invest the fund in any lucrative venture after retirement.At the conclusion of this business, I shall travel to your country for sharing. I have mapped out 30% of the total amount for you for assisting me, 5% to take care of all expenses from both party and the remaining for me. I await information about you and look forward for prompt reply from you. Warmest regards,Dr Usman Danbaba
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam