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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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. )
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK JOE" <bensololaws5@myway.com>
Reply-To: markjoe_00008@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:20:15 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Good Day,


From Desk Top Of: Mr.Mark JoeAuditing and accounting section,Foreign remittance department,Intercontinental Bank plcGood Day,I am Mr. Mark Joe, Divisional Head, Foreign Operations Office with theIntercontinental Bank Plc. I was personal account manager to one lateEngineer Michael W. of your country, who till his death was acontractor with Impressario Nigeria Limited, Moenier Oil &amp; Gas Consultand Nigerian Ports authority.On the 28th of November 2003, the Engineer, his wife and their twochildren were involved in a car accident along Gwagwalada express road and all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. At the time of his death, he had a deposit of$15.6 Million which was proceed of a contract work he just concluded with the Nigerian Ports authority. The payment was made with an Ecobank cheque which I personally cleared.Unfortunately, till this moment no one has come as his relation for hisdeposit with us.I humbly request your attention to this matter so
that we can present youas his next of kin or beneficiary to his deposit. It is not a verydifficult thing to do especially as you share the same last name with him and it will not take time too. All we need is to change the name and particulars of his next of kin to yours in our computer database and we file in an application for the release of the fund through the Probate Office in your name.It does not necessarily mean that you must be here to conclude the deal,we may request that the money be sent directly to your account. Which offcourse, you will setup a new account or through bank diplomatic service.Please contact me as quickly as possible and We will talk about thesharing ratio as soon as you get in touch with me.Kind regards,Mark Joe.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam