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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)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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: "kwamehalima25" <kwamehalima25@terra.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:10:44 +0000
Subject: Re:Partnership,


Dear Friend

I am Mr Kwame Halima. I am accounting officer in foreign accounts department of our bank International Commercial Bank Of Ghana.
On July 21st. 2003,A foreigner, A British Oil Consultant/Contractor with the Shell petroleum Oil company Ltd Ghana, Mr Manfred Gregory, made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months. Valued at US$8,500,000.00 (Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) in our branch, upon maturity we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply.

After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers the Shell petroleum Oil company Ltd Ghana that Mr. Manfred Gregory died on July 21st. 2003 at Congo Republic,In a Plane crash, Involving Kenya Airways.

Since then I have made several inquiries to foreign embassy here to locate any of our clients extended relatives, this has proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet,to locate any of his family member but of no avail. hence I contacted you for you are a foreigner as our late customer.

I need your assistance in evacuation of the funds left behind by our client in the Bank before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Government, because official, financial laws here stipulate it that after five years any fund or assets deposited with bank/security firm without claim or servicing, the money or assets will be divert to central bank of Ghana as unclaimed bill. 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 of the deceased since you are a Foreigner so that the proceeds of this deposit valued at $8.5 million dollars can be paid to you and we share the money.
I can not stand for this claim on my own considering my position in the Bank.
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up this claim in the Bank.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this business will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
You have to assure me that you will not sit on the fund when it is finally claimed by you.
Expecting your quick response

Best regards,

Mr Kwame Halima

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam