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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "marcus_thompson Gazeta.pl" <marcus_thompson@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 15:35:56 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST


Zenith Bank international Plc,
Plot 222 western Avenue,
Ikoyi-Lagos
Nigeria.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Marcus Thompson the Bank Manager of Zenith Bank Plc of Nigeria,Lagos
Branch.I have urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On
August 6,2006,a FOREIGN Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation, Mr.Jeff Carpenter, made a numbered time (Fixed)
Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty
Million Dollars) 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 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr.Jeff
Carpenter 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 was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered
that Mr.Jeff Carpenter did not declare any kin or relations in all his
official documents, including his Bank Deposit paper work in my Bank. This
sum of US$20,000,000.00 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 Nigerian Law,at the
expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as an Foreigner to stand
in as the next of kin to Mr.Jeff Carpenterso that the fruits of this old
man's labour 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, which will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall
employ the service of an Attorney to obtain the necessary documents and
letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.

A bank account in any part of the world, which can be facilitate the
transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin.The money will
be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me and 40%
for you, white 10% set aside for expenses. There is no risk at all as all
the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney and my
position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this
transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately. Upon your
response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents
that will help you understand the transaction. Please 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.Marcus Thompson
Zenith Bank Plc
Bank Manager.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam