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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • robertmusa_ng1@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: robertmusa_ng1@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:21:50 +0600
Subject: COMPLIMENT OF THE SEASON!!!

Dear Friend,

I Robert Musa Adamu, Bank Manager of FIDELITY BANK PLC,
Nigeria.I have urgent and very confidential business proposition for
you.

On November 6, 2001, a British Oil consultant/contractor with the
Nigeria Solid Minerals Corporation, made a numbered time (Fixed)
Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at 30,000,000.00GBP
(Thirty Million Pounds Sterling) in my branch. Upon maturity,
I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got
no reply.

After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from
his contract employers, the Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation that
he 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 he did
not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents,
including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of
30,000,000.00GBP 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 Laws of Republic of Nigeria, at
the expiration of 6 (six) years, the money will revert to the
ownership of the Nigeria Government if nobody applies to claim the
fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner
to stand in as the next of kin to the man so that the fruits of
this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt
government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide
immediately your full names and address so that the attorney will
prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you
in place as the next of kin.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and
tarization of the WILL and to ob tain the necessary documents and
letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.

A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide will
then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the
beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into your account
for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you.

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
above.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and
relevant documents that willhelp you understand the transaction.
Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and 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.

Awaiting your urgent reply via my email:
robertmusa_ng1@yahoo.com.hk
Thanks and regards.

Mr. Robert Musa Adamu.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam