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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22997522484 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • e_dom512@mail.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "emmanuel.dom01" <emmanuel.dom01@orange.nl>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:48:09 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Dear Friend


FROM THE DESK OF MR EMMANUEL DOM.
BILL&EXCHANGE MANAGER BANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A)
BENIN REPUBLIC COTONUO-WEST AFRICA.

Dear Friend,

I am a staff of Bank Of Africa in Cotonou-Benin Republic , in the file/computer deptment.In my own department I discovered an abandoned sum of $18.5m US dollars (Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand US dollars) . In an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer Mr.THOMAS MILLER from MISISSIPPI who died along with his entire family in 23rd ,Dece 2003 in a plane crash.

Since we got information about his death, I have been expecting his next of kin to come over and claim his money because the management cannot release it unless somebo dy applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines but unfortunately i learnt that all his family died alongside with him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim,I will assist you locate an ATTORNEY who will stand on your behaf to get every proof document which will help you to execut this money.

It is therefore upon this discovery that I decided to make this businness proposal to you and release the money to you as the next of kin or relation to the deceased for safety and subsequent disbursement since nobody is coming for it and I dont want this money to go into the Bank treasury as unclaimed Bill.

The request of foreigner as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner and a Beninois cannot stand as next of kin to a foreigner.I agree that 40 % of th is money will be for you as foreign partner, in respect to the provision of a foreign account, 10 % will be set aside for expenses incured during the business and 50 % would be for me. There after I will visit your country for disbursement accoding to the percentages indicated.

Therefore to enable the immediate transfer of this fund to you as arranged,you must apply first to the bank as relations or next of kin of the deceased indicating your bank name, your private telephone and fax number for easy and effective communication and location where in the money will be remitted .Upon receipt of your reply, I will send to you by fax or email the text of the application.

I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch free and that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfe r . You should contact me immediately as you receive this letter please
call.Trusting to hear from you immediately. Meanwhile you should reply me with this email address if you are really interested regarding this transaction for more details on what to do next;
Below is My Full Alternative Contact Address
Email address e_dom512@mail.ru
Telephone Number +229-97522484

Best Regards.
Mr.Emmanuel Dom.,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam