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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • j_koffia@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "johnkoffi Gazeta.pl" <johnkoffi@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:18:31 +0000
Subject: WITH DUE RESPECT CAN YOU HANDLE THIS???..


Dr.JOHN KOFFIAuditing and Accounting Unit
Foreign Operations Department
African Development Bank, Lome-Togo Branch
Republic of Togo.Direct Line 00228 994 37 93

With Due Respect,

Dear ,

i am Dr. JOHN KOFFI the Director in charge of Auditing and Accounting
section African Development Bank lome-togo and also Chairman of
Investigating an Auditing Department of this Bank. With due respect and
regard, I have decided to contact you on a Business Transaction that will be
very beneficial to both of us and our families at the end of this
transaction.During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my
department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to one Deceased who died on
Egypt Air Flight 990. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm
As the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim
of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation because he did
not indicate any next of kin to this account.The amount in the dormant
account is Sixteen Million five hundred thousand United States Dollars
(US$16.5m) .As it may interest you to know, I got your contact from the
Chamber of Commerce on foreign business relations here in Lome -togo though
I did not disclose why i needed a foreign contact and only told the director
on seat it was for retirement and investment purposes.

Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this bank, and the Director of Auditing and
Accounting, I have in my possession all the necessary documents to perfect
this deal by making you the bonafide next of kin/Partner whom this money
will be transferred into your account. I need your assistance and
co-operation to get this deal done. Because as a foreigner, you stand a
better position to be presented through documentation as the next of
kin/Partner since the deceased is also a foreigner, this is the reason why I
could not do this deal alone as a staff of the bank as well.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth Conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside totake care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 60% will be for me and my partner. Please, you have been
advised to keep this "Top Secret" as we are still in service and intend to
retire from service after we conclude this deal with you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your bank account. And I will come over to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment,either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in.

All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from
you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in
this deal.I am expecting your urgent reply as soon as you receive this
message. God bless you And your family.

Dr. JOHN KOFFI
CONTACT ME AT MY Direct Email Box j_koffia@usa.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam