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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • stholmes3@cooltoad.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Alex Paul <al_paul10@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: alexpaul800@cooltoad.com
Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 07:58:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: FROM: WEMA INTER.BANK (PLS REPLY)


Mr.Steve Holmes
Auditor/Computing Manager,
WEMA INTER.BANK PLC,
LAGOS NIGERIA.
Email: stholmes3@cooltoad.com

My Dear,

I am Mr.Steve Holmes,Auditor/Computing Manager,WEMA INTER.BANK PLC of Nigeria,Lagos Branch.I am contacting you in regards to a business transfer of a huge sum of money from a deceased customer's account who died On the 25th of July 2000, the deceased, German property magnate Andreas Schranner, 64, knowing fully well that we had no previous dealings before.

Mr.Andreas Schranner made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$17,800,000.00(Seventeen Million eight hundred thousand Dollars) in my branch.Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to him forwarding address but got no reply.After a month,we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr.Andreas Schranner died on a AF4590 crash after taking off in Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport . On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr.Andreas Schranner did not declare any next of kin or relations in all her official documents, including her Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. It was also discovered that Mr.Andreas Schranner wife Maria, 62, their daughter Andrea Eich, 38, her husband Christian, 57, and their children Katharina, eight, and Maximilian, 10, all perished in the jet.

You can read through for more information via the following:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

This sum of US$17,800,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year.No one will ever come forward to claim it.According to Nigerian Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim this fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr.Andreas Schranner so that the fruits of this man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.This is simple as long am here to direct and provide you with every in formation required. please feel free to provide immediately your full names and address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits which will put you in place as the next of kin.
We shall employ the services of an Attorneys for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer.
We would need you as a Foreigner acting as the next of kin and sole benefactor to the inheritance of Mr.Andreas Schranner to forward a claim form to this Bank which am going to secure for you to claim this money into your bank account. The money will be paid to you for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 30% for you and 10% for any expenses incurred during the transaction.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.
If you are interested, please reply immediately via the private email address below. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. All I want from you is honest and trustworthy.
Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.My alternative email address is:stholmes3@cooltoad.com

Awaiting your urgent reply please.

Regards,

Mr.Steve Holmes


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam