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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "first national bank" (not involved with lotteries)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: steve benson <stevebenson49@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <SteveBenson74@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:45:42 +0200
Subject: Dear,Sir/Madam





20/09/2007

How can we help you?


FROM MR.STEVE BENSONFIRST NATIONAL BANK (FNB) JOHANESBURG , SOUTH AFRICA .Email: SteveBenson74@yahoo.com.Private Telephone:27-767-184-548


Dear,Sir/Madam

I will begin by introducing myself to you as Mr.Steve Benson an auditor in First National Bank (FNB) in Johannesburg Republic of South Africa. I have the privilege of having your contact courtesy of your country’s internet network online, on my search for a foreign partner who will join hands with me to execute an ongoing deal involving the transfer of USD$16.7 Million (SIXTEEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) and I wish to transfer this money into a safe foreigners account abroad, hence the fund is in dollar and will not be approved in a local account here in South Africa.

During the course of our auditing last year, I discovered the fund floating in a non-resident account opened in the bank in 1996 and since 2000 nobody has operated on this account again. After going through some old files in the records, I discovered that the owner of the account died without a [Heir/WILL] hence the money is floating and if I do not remit this money out urgently it will be forfeited for nothing.

The owner of this account is a 61yrs old MR. MORRIS THOMPSON a British National and great industrialist and a resident of Alaska, who unfortunately lost his life together with his wife MRS. THELMA THOMPSON as well as his daughter MISSES. SHERYL THOMPSON in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31 2000, including his wife and only daughter leaving nobody to claim the money. You shall read more news about the crash on visiting this site:(www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/) No other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it, the account has no other beneficiary and my investigation proved to me as well that the account is a secret account.

As the Head of accounts in the department, I’ve carefully through the advice of a lawyer initiated the process of transferring the money using a foreign partner with the hope of having the fund transferred abroad for investment on my behalf and I hope you will agree with my intention to arrange payment of the claim in your name. I request that you let me prepare and file the claim for the money from this Department indicating your name as the appointed beneficiary of the FUND.

Upon approval of the payment, our bank shall transfer the said amount to your account, and since the money will be paid directly into your bank account to be nominated by you, you will have the responsibility to ensure that I receive my share of the money after disbursements which I have decide will be 70% while you will keep 30% as you personal commission. I have to assure you however, that am to make the payment of the fund possible provided you are ready to give me a strong GUARANTEE that you will not betray my trust in making the transfer of the fund into your bank account.

This is basically safe and risk-free involvement as it is not prone to any enquiries since am active in service and will not want to loose my position in the bank. Meanwhile I demand that you keep this transaction very private and confidential in view of our personal involvement.

Full details of the processes for the transfer of the fund will be provided as soon as I receive your response and acceptance to be part of this agreement. I am expecting the immediate indication of your interest by phone call or email.

Kindly adopt and treat accordingly (Remember to include your private phone and fax numbers as you reply)

Best Regards,

Mr. Steve Benson
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam