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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 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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million us 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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348088032373 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • sannigaruba.1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "sanni garuba" <sanni.garuba@btconnect.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:54:06 -0000
Subject: Regarding Late Engr.Jeffry Ammal's Inheritance.

Dear Friend,

I am an Accountant with ECO BANK PLC, My name is Mr.Sanni Garuba a Banker, I am the personal Account Manager to an oil Merchant/contractor, Engr.Jeffry Ammal, a foreign National who used to work with Summit Oil company in Nigeria.Here in after shall be refered to as my client On May 12,2004,my client, his wife, and their three children were involved in a car accident along Aba/Portharcourt express way.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts to locate any member of his family hence I decided to contact you hence you share the same last name with him.

I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client beforethey Get confiscated or declared unserviceable by thebank where this huge deposits were lodged,particularly the ECO BANK PLC. Where the deceased had an account Valued at about ($6.8 Million U S Dollars).

The Directors of my bank has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. Or have the account confiscated within the next 14 Bank official working days.

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 so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($6.8 Million US Dollars) can be paid to you and then you and me Can share the money.70%to me and 30% to you.An attorney will be contracted to help us revalidate and notarizeall the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.My direct line is; 234-80-88032373.and My private email box is [sannigaruba.1@hotmail.com <mailto:sannigaruba.1@hotmail.com> ]


Best Regards
Mr. Sanni Garuba.

NB You don't have to be a blood relative of The Late Depositor to claim this inheritance. Pls reply via my direct email account {sannigaruba.1@hotmail.com <mailto:sannigaruba.1@hotmail.com> }so that I can elucidate on how to proceed next.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam