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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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 united state 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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • hongzhanzhi0612@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Hong Zhanzhi" <slthomas8@srt.com>
Reply-To: hongzhanzhi0612@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:02:59 +0300
Subject: Awaiting your urgent reply.


Hang Seng Bank Ltd,
Yau Tsim Mong Branch,
One Grand Tower G/F,
639 Nathan Road
Kowloon West, Hong Kong IslandWebsite;
www.hangseng.com.hk

Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Hong Zhanzhi credit officer of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I
have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.
I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much
embarrassment by contacting you through this means for a
transaction of this magnitude, but this is due to confidentiality
and prompt access reposed on this medium, sorry my English is not
very good. Furthermore, due to this issue on my hands now, it
became necessary for me to seek your assistance, and it is
imperative for me to know your opinion.

Five years ago, a Saudi Arabian Oil Consultant/Contractor with
the Chinese Petroleum and Chemical corporation Mr. Al-Rahman Al
Saud made a numbered time(Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar
months, valued at US$13,000,000.00 (Thirteen Million United State
Dollars only) 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 Hong Kong Petroleum and Chemical
Corporation that Mr. Al-Rahman Al Saud 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 were fruitless.
I therefore made further investigation and discovered that
Mr.Al-Rahman Al Saud did not declare any kin or relations in all
his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in
my Bank. This sum of US$13,000,000.00 (Thirteen Million United
State Dollars only) 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 Hong Kong, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money
will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong 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 Mr. Al-Rahman Al Saud 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
notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents
and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the
transfer. The money will be paid into your account for us to
share in the ratio of 50% for me and 40% for you and 10% for
Expenses Incurred in the course of the transaction.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction
will be done by the attorney and with my position as the credit
officer guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details
and relevant documents that will help you understand the
transaction.Please send me your confidential telephone and fax
numbers for easy communication.
You should 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.
Thanks and regards.
Mr. Hong Zhanzhi

N.B; For security reason, please reply to my confidential email
address; hongzhanzhi0612@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam