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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million 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.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • mrmichaeludofile@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Udo <mikkudo8@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrmichaeludofile@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:41:28 +0100
Subject: HELLO



Dear Sir/Madam

In order to transfer out ($36.000.000.00) Thirty Six Million United States Dollars from Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc . I want to ask you to quietly look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable and fit to provide either an existing bank account or to set up a new bank account immediately to receive this money, even an empty account can also serve for this purpose.

I am Mr. Michael Udo auditor general of Zenith Bank Plc, during the course of our auditing I discovered a floating account opened in the bank in 1990 and since 1993 nobody has operated on this account again, after going through some old files, from the records I discovered that the owner of the account died without a [heir] or next of kin hence the money is floating and if I do not remit this money out urgently it will be forfeited for nothing to corrupt.

The owner of this account is Mr. Allan Coleman, a foreigner, and an industrialist, and he died, since 1993 the account has remained dormant thus no other person knows about the existence of this account. However my investigation proved to me as well that Allan Coleman until his death was the manager Diamond Oil NIG.

We will start the first transfer with Six million [$6,000.000.00] upon successful transaction without any disappoint from your side. We shall re-apply for the payment of the remainder of the funds. I am only contacting you as a foreigner because this money cannot be approved to a local person here thus but can only be approved to any foreigner with valid identification. However I am revealing this to you with believe in God that you will never let me down when the money is remitted into your account. Please include private telephone in return of this message.

I need your full understanding and co-operation to make this work fine because the management of the bank is ready to approve this payment to any foreigner who has correct information of this account that I will give to you. I will use my position and influence to obtain all approval for onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance from the relevant ministries and foreign exchange departments for easy and smooth transfer of the fund into your account without problem or question in future.

At the conclusion of this business, you will be given 35% of the total amount while 60% will be for me and 5% will be mapped out for any expenses incurred during the process of transferring this money.

I am looking forward to hear from you via my private Email: mrmichaeludofile@yahoo.com.hk
Yours truly
Mr. Michael Udo

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam