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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)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Grant Obi" <grantobi1@acrossborders.ps>
Reply-To: grantobi_2000@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:06:04 +0200
Subject: LETTER



FROM THE DESK OF: MR. GRANT OBI
SPRING BANK NIGERIA LTD
Plot 143, Ahmadu Bello Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos

Dear Friend,
                                                      

   
                   (PRIVATE/CONFIDENTIAL).
I am MR. GRANT OBI.the Director in charge of Auditing section SPRING
BANK NIGERIA LTD. Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you
as a surprise.I have decided to contact you on a project that will be
very beneficiary to both of us.During our auditing in this Bank,I came
across some amount of money belonging to a deceased foreigner Mr.Sheu
Yuan-dong who died with his wife and their  only daughter on February
16,1998 in a plane crash.The funds has been dormant in his account
with this Bank without any claim of the funds in our custody from his
relation before my discovery to this development.He was the Governor
of TaiwanCentral(Reserve)Bank.The said amount was Twenty-Two Million
And Six Hundred Thousand united state dollars
($22.600 000mUSD).
I want you to know that I never master minded the death of the
deceased fellow.Their death is a accour Naturally.Please View this
website:
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9802/16/taiwan.crash.update2/
FOR YOUR INFORMATION BEEN YOU NOT A TAIWANESE WILL NOT
POSE ANY PROBLEM FOR THE SUCESSFUL TRANSFER ON THIS FUNDS INTO YOUR
ACCOUNT.
All the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the Bonafide
next of kin to the deceased, has been put in place and directives will
be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and
willingness to assist me and also benefit your self to this great
business opportunity.In this country as a civil servant(A Banker),we
are not allowed to operate a foreign account.This is the actual reason
why it will require a second partyor fellow who will forward claims as
the next of kin to the Bank and also present a foreign account where
he will need the money to be re-transferred into on his request.Our
Banking law stipulates that if such money remained unclaimed after (10
years),the money will be transferred into the Bank treasury as
unclaimed funds.The request of foreigner as next of kin in this
business is occasioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner
and a Burkinabe cannot stand as next of kin.
I don't want this money to go into the Bank treasury as unclaimed
Bill.Be assured this transaction is 100% risk free.We agree that 30 %
of this money will be for you as  foreign partner, in respect to the
provision of a foreign account, 10 % will be set aside for expenses
incured during the business and 60 % would be for me and my
colleagues.
There after I and my colleagues will visit your country
fordisbursement according to the percentages indicated.Please you have
been adviced to keep"topsecret" as I am still in service and intend to
retire from service after I conclude this deal withyou.I will fly down
to your country or any place we shall agreed on for subsequent sharing
of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further
investment will be discussed.I intend to import Agricultural matriels
and Drugs(Medicines) back to my country.On your acceptance to be my
partner please email for a brief discussion before we proceed.Please
keep this proposal secret,even if you will  assist me.
                        YOUR FULL
INFOEMATION   
    YOUR NAME.........................
    YOUR HOME ADDRESSES............
    HOME TELEPHONE.....................
    PRIVATE TELEPHONE.......................
I look forward to receive your urgent reply
Yours brother ,
 
MR. GRANT OBI



  

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam