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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:
  • "million british pounds" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: mr virster <mr_virster21@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mr_virster0000@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:06:49 +0200
Subject: From: Mr. Virster.


From: Mr. Virster.Address:8 Mitchley Road Tottenham London N17 9HGRepublic of London England. Occupations: External Auditor Hello, Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does notmeet your personal ethics although, I wish to use thismedium to get in touch with you first because it'sfastest means. I am an External Auditor of a well known bank here inthe United Kingdom. In one of our peroidic auditing Idiscorverd a dormant accounts with holding balance of£ 152,000,000.00 (One Hundred & Fifty Two MillionBritish Pounds Stering) which has not been operatedfor the past three years. From my investigations andconfirmations, the owner of this account, a foreignerby name Mr.Gregory .B.Wilson died in plane crash inJuly 19,2003 and since then nobody has done anythingas regards the claiming of this money because he hasno family members who are aware of the existence ofneither the account nor the funds.

He opened an account in this bank since 1995 and since2003 nobody has operated on this account again. and hedied without a written or oral WILL attached to theaccount. Since his death, I personally watched to seethe next of kin but all has proved abortive as no onehas come to claim his funds and no other person knowsabout this account or anything concerning it. Theaccount has no other beneficiary and until his deathhe was the manager of his company here in LondonEngland. The amount involved is £ 152,000,000.00 (One Hundred &Fifty Two Million British Pounds Stering) . We willstart the first transfer with £ 52,000,000.00[FiftyTwo Million Pounds Stering]. Upon conclusion withoutany disappointment from your side, we shall re-applyfor the transfer of the remaining balance.I have secretly discussed this matter with a topSenior Minister Official of the Federal Ministry ofFinance here and we have agreed to find a reliableforeign partner to deal with us although due to hispossition he did not want to take active part but assoon as you follow my instructions everything will besuccessfull because we will be woking hand in handwith him. We this propose to do business withyou,standing in as the next of kin of these funds fromthe deceased and after due legal processes have beenfollowed the fund will be released to your accountwithout delay and we will use it for investment and toassist the less privelaged in the society because ifwe left the fund with the Government it will befortified for nothing and will be used to suppress thepoor masses in the society. This transaction is totally free of risk and troublesas the fund is legitimate and does not originate fromdrug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegalact. Finally, At the conclusion of this business, Youwill be given 35% of the total amount, 60% will be forme,while remaining 5% will be set aside for expensesboth parties might incurred during the transferprocess. On receipt of your response I will furnishyou with detailed clarification as it relates to this mutual benefit transaction. You should send me your account information as statesbelow where you like the money to be transfer so thati can send application for the release of the fundimmediatelly with your account information.Even an empty account is ok. Bank Name.....................Bank Address................ Beneficiary Name.........Account Number..........Your Tel/Fax Number... Routing Number.....State & Country.. I look forward to hear from you as soon as possible ifyou are interested. Regards,

Mr. Virster.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam