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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "accredited attorney" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: OLA JAMES <olajames04@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <olajames4@myway.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 02:39:15 +0000
Subject: PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY




Dear Sir/Madam,

I am ola james Bank Manager of Zenith Bank, Lagos,
Nigeria. I have urgent and Very confidential business proposition for you.

In september 28th, 2002, a Foreign Oil consultant/contractor with the
Nigerian National petroleum Corporation, Mr.Barry Kelly made a numbered time
(Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twentyfive
Million Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification
to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, I sent a reminder
and finally I discovered from his contract employers, the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Barry Kelly died from an automobile accident.

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. Barry Kelly did not declare any kin
or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit
paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$25,000,000.00 has carefully been moved out
of my bank to a security company for save purpose keeping.

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 the
fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will want you as a foreigner to stand as
the next of kin. I am writing you because as a public servant (Manager with
the bank), I cannot operate a foreign account or have an account that is more
than $1m. I therefore
want to present you as the next of kin (the rightful owner of the fund) so
that you can be able to claim it with the help of an accredited attorney.
Finally, I urge you to provide immediately your full names, phone/fax numbers and
your current mailing address so as to enable us commence the paperwork that
will
present you as the rightful beneficiary (next of kin) of the fund. As soon
as the money is transferred to you 60% is for me while 30% is for you.

Please reply immediately via my Email address.Upon
your response, I shall then provide you with more details that will help you
understand this hitch free (risk free) transaction.

Thanks and God bless.
Mr OLA JAMES.



.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam