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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Woods <m.chawla001@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: investment_funds@live.com
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:19:54 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Second Letter of Intent to you


This is for your attention

Through some discreet search from my local chambers of commerce and having obtained your contact from the internet. I contacted you because you bear the same
surname identity.

Presently in my bank here in the United Kingdom we have an estate,which has remained unclaimed since 1999. And the estate will be converted to UNCLAIMED
DEPOSIT and therefore forfeited if nobody comes forward to lay claim to the deposit before the end of this financial quarter, as is the practice and also
indicated in the European Union banking guidelines.

I wish to notify you of a Deal between You and me to put in claims for payment with your name as the beneficiary to the total sum of US$5,500,000.00 (Five million, Five Hundred Thousand) in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is our second letter to you).

As I mentioned earlier, I contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there
is no written will.


All the papers/documents will be processed on your acceptance to partner with me. In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money in your favour.

Yours faithfully

Michael Woods
HSBC BANK PLC.
Tel/FAX:+44 (0) 703 - 040 - 4382

Please send your response to my private Email:
investment_funds@live.com



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam