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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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +31645441922 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • patjoop99@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Joop" <alexis@gibtelecom.net>
Reply-To: patjoop@live.nl
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:51:25 +0200
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 unfortunately lost his
life in an Egyptian charter plane Boeing 737 which crashed into
the Red Sea 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.shtml)
.

I represented his business interests in Europe and managed an
investment portfolio on his behalf in which he deposited the
sum of USD$12,500,000 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars Only) with a financial institution here
in Europe.

He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin to this funds
except some vital documents related to the deposit still in my
possession. Recently the financial institution in which the
funds are deposited contacted me on this matter, requesting
that I 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 fund 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 marked 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.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law. If you are interested,
kindly, get in touch with me by my private e-mail
(patjoop99@yahoo.de) and I will provide you details on how the
transaction will be carried out. You may also send your
telephone number so that I can call you.

I am aware of the nature of this proposal. I ask that if you
find no interest in this project that you should discard this
mail. I ask that you do not be vindictive and destructive. If
my offer is of no appeal to you, delete this message and forget
I ever contacted you.

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

Regards
Patrick Joop
Tel:+31 645 441 922

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam