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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: alhaji ali <alhaji_ali04@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <alhaji_ali07@myway.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:48:43 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT



FROM THE DESK OF:MR ALHAJI ALIAFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANKHEADQUARTERSOUAGADOUGOU BURKINA FASOWEST AFRICADear customerI am MR ALHAJI ALI credit officer of African Development Bank. I have anurgent and very confidential business proposition for you.In June, 2000, a German property consultant and importer of used cars ,MrAndreas Schranner made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendarmonths, valued at US$20,000,000.00(twenty Million United States Dollarsonly) in my branch. It was to our utter suprise that we heard of his death,wife and children in an AF4590 plane crash in July 2000. See website below:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stmOn further investigation,I found out that he died without making a WILL, andhitherto, all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. Mr AndreasSchranner was residing at No 1 Rue de Avenida, G.R.A.ouagoudougou, burkina faso.I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr AndreasSchranner did not declare any kin or relations in all his officialdocuments, including hisBank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$20,000,000.00 is stillsitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principalsum at the end of each year. No one willever come forward to claim it. According to Laws of burkina faso, at theexpiration of 5 (five) years, the money will be declared frozen andforfeited to the burkina faso Government if nobody applies to claim thefund.Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand inas the next of kin or business partner to Mr Andreas Schranner so that thefruits of this old man's labor will not get intothe hands of some corrupt government officials. This is simple, I will likeyou to provide immediately your full names and address,phone and fax numbersso thatthe i can prepare the necessary documents that will put you in place asthe next of kin or business partner.Your role in the transaction is to sendan application for claim of the funds to our bank. Then, as top officials ofthe bank, I shall work behind-the-scene to make sure that your applicationis approved by the management of the bank, and the funds transfered to yournominated bank account.Please note that there is nothing of risks at all as all the paperwork forthis transaction will be done legitimately and with my positions as topofficials of the bank i would ensure a successful execution of thistransaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately to my emailbox.Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easycommunication.You should observe utmost CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY in this transaction,and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both ofus because I will require your assistance to invest my share in yourcountry.I look forward to your prompt response.Thanks and regards.ALHAJI ALI
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam