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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:
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Lukas Koffi" <drlucas_koffi1@gala.net>
Reply-To: drlucas4real@live.fr
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:45:06 +0100
Subject: I am waiting your response


FROM DR LUCAS KOFFI.
DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF AUDITING
AND ACCOUNTING SECTION OF ECOBANK
TOGOLAISE, (LOME-TOGO )



Attn: My Dear

Permit me to use this medium to first introduce myself to you before getting
you acquinted with the transaction for which i am contacting you. I am DR
LUCAS KOFFI.the director in charge of auditing and accounting section
of ECOBANK TOGOLAISE , Lome Togo in west Africa.

With due respect and regard. I have decided to contact you on a business
transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the
transaction.

During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
31st October 1999 in a plane crash;flight number 990 en route from new york
to cairo which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean killing the 217 passengers
and crew members on board and 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 before our discovery to this development.

Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and
partners to enable the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful
during the time of execution. The said amount was us$14M (fourteen million
united states dollars).

As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive information from the
web directory of my country when searching for a reliable and trustworthy
foreign partner who could help me champion a business proposal of such
magnitude without any problem. Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put
claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the
required approval and transfer this money to a foreign account has been put
in place and directives and needed information will be relayed to you as
soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also
benefit your self to this great business opportunity.

In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant, we are not allowed to operate a foreign account
and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.

This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who
will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to
the Bank and also present a foreign account where he will need the money to
be re-transferred into on his request as it may be after due verification
and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the whole
money will be remitted from to your own designation bank account.

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 20% of the
total sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 75% will be for me and my partners. Please, you have been
adviced to keep top secret as we are still in active 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 account and ask us to come down 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 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 on my confidential email address
drlucas4real@live.fr<http://ca.mc336.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=drlucas4real@live.fr>
.


Yours faithfully,
DR LUCAS KOFFI

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam