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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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (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.
  • mikeessai666@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mike essai <mikeessai02@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <mikeessai666@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:21:01 +0100
Subject: Waiting For Your Reply



FROM SIR MIKE ESSAI (JP).AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.BANK OF AFRICA Benin S.ACotonou-Benin.
(Tel+229) 9341-4639
Email;mikeessai666@yahoo.com


STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
I am SIR MIKE ESSAI (JP), the Director in chargeof auditing and accounting section of BANK OF AFRICA Benin S.A in west Africa.

I have decided to contact you on a businesstransaction that will be very beneficial to both of usat the end of the transaction.

During our investigation and audting in this bank, mydepartment came across a very huge sum of moneybelonging to a deceased person who died on August 2003in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in hisaccount with this bank without any claim of the fundin our custody either from his family or relationbefore our discovery to this development.

Although personally, I kept this information secretwithin myself and my partner to enable the whole plansand idea be pofitable and successful during the timeof execution.The said amount was USD$13.5 m (Thirteen million five hundred Thousand united states dollars).

I am glad to say that with the introduction ofinternet and website,I was opportuned and pleasured tohave come across your contact through this satellitemedia.All the adverts and news media in your websiteis what interest me most to contact you on this veryissue,as it may intrest you to know.
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim overthis fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased,get the required approval and transfer this money to aforiegn account has been put in place and directivesand needed information will be relayed to you as soonas you indicate your interest and willingness toassist us and also benefit your self to this greatbusiness opportunity.

In fact I could have done this deal alone but becauseof my position in this country as a civil servant, weare not allowed to operate a foriegn account and wouldeventually raise an eye brow on my side during thetime of transfer because, I work in this bank.
This is the actual reason why it will require a secondparty or fellow who will forward claims as the next ofkin with affidavit of trust of Oath to this bank andalso present a foriegn account where he will need themoney to be retransfered into on his request as it maybe after due verification and clarification bydesignation bank account.
I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is100% risk free.

On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will beentitiled to 30% of the total sum as gratification,while 10% will be set aside to take care of expensesthat may arise during the time of transfer both localand international like telephone bills,e-mail billsinclude the documents fees,while 60% will be for meand my partner.

Please,you have been adviced to keep top secret as weare still in service and intend to retire from serviceafter we conclude this deal with you.I will be monitoring the whole situation here in thisbank until you confirm the money in your account andask us to come down to your country for subsequentsharing of the fund according to percentagespreviously indicated and further investment, either inyour country or any country you advice us to investin.
All other necessary information will be sent to youwhen I hear from you.I suggest you get back to me assoon as possible stating your wish in this deal.Yours faithfully,

SIR Mike Essai (JP)
(Tel+229) 9341-4639
Email;mikeessai666@yahoo.com

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam