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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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 state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "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.
  • alex.flockhart@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Alexander Flockhart" <flockhart6464@gmail.com>
Reply-To: alex.flockhart@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:41:48 +0200
Subject: Your Message


Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Alexander .A. Flockhart Executive Director and Chief Financial
Officer of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd.I have a Secured business suggestion for
you.

Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Col. Hosam Hassan who was with the
Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18
calendar months, with a value of Thirty million United State Dollars only in
my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him,even during the war
early this year.

Again after the war anothernotification was sent and still no response came
from him. We later find out that Col. Hosam Hassan along with his wife and
only daughter had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their
home.What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the
expiration 4 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong
Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Col. Hosam Hassan so that you will
be able to receive his funds.I have contacted an attorney that will prepare
the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Col.Hosam
Hassan.There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to
adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary
documents.

Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this
issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account
we shall share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you, Should you be
interested please send me information below via my private email address: (
alex.flockhart@yahoo.com.hk)

1. Full names and Age
2. Private phone number
3. Current residential address.

And finally after that I shall provide you with more details on this
transaction. Your earliest response to this letter will be highly
appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Alexander .A. Flockhart.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam