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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)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • patrickjoop01@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick&Associate" <budhrani@gibtelecom.net>
Reply-To: patrickjoop01@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 00:48:16 +0100
Subject: KINDLY GET BACK TO ME

Dear Friend,

Greetings and compliments.

I am Patrick Joop, a solicitor at law. I was the personal
attorney to Eng.Gilbert M. Reain, a national of your country
who used to work
with an oil servicing company here in the Netherlands thereof
be referred
to as my client. Eng. Gilbert M. Reain, 62 years of age made a
fixed
deposit of fund valued at USD$12,500,000 (Twelve Million, Five
Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars Only) with a Finance Company
here in
Europe and unfortunately lost his life in an Egyptian charter
plane Boeing
737 which crashed into the Red Sea early on January 3 shortly
after taking off from the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh,
killing all the 135 passengers and 13 crew members aboard, Ref:
(View:http://english.people.com.cn/200401/04/eng20040104_131791.
shtl).

He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital
documents related to the deposit still in my possession.
Recently, the
governing body of the Finance Company contacted me on this
matter,
requesting that should notify the next of kin of my late client
to claim the
funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to
the Fund.

I know that my client had no living next of kin but I went
ahead and made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any
of my late
client's extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful.
Under a
clear and legitimate agreement with you, I seek your consent to
present
you as the next of kin, so that my late client's funds will not
be
confiscated by the Finance Company.

You and I can share the money, you will be entitled to 40% of
the total fund for your role as the relative and next of kin of
my late client, 50%
for me while 10% is to be map out for any expenses that will be
incurred during the clearance or process of transfer of the
fund to your
bank account. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all
necessary legal documents that will be used to back you up as
the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client will be
procured.

All I require is your sincerity, honesty; co-operation and
utmost good faith to enable us see this deal through. I
guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law. Kindly, get in touch
with me by my e-mail
(patrickjoop01@yahoo.com.hk) or telephone to enable us discuss
further.You may also send your telephone number so that I can
call you.

Do not forget that a transaction of this magnitude requires
utmost Confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your
urgent
response.

Thank you,
Regards
Patrick Joop

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam