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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +229952139991 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +22995213999 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: PRINCE <koffi@me.by>
Reply-To: contactofficefile02@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:36:36 +0200
Subject: regards


Sir,

I am prince Koffi the director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section
of a Prime Bank, here in Cotonou Republic of Benin, and also a special
account officer of Mr. Helmut Hoffman, a national of your country. He was a
Seasoned Contractor here in Republic of Benin, who unfortunately died in the
plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in Cotonou,
Benin republic on the December 25,2003.
ob_albert: Before his death on the 25th December 2003, he has a fixed
deposit account with the bank and no other person knows about this account
or any thing concerning it, the account has no other beneficiary and my
investigation proved to me that his supposed next of kin died along with him
in the crash.

Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients
extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money
left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$5 million can be paid
to you and then you and I can share the money. 60% for me and 40% to
you. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this
deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this proposal is
acceptable to you, kindly email the following information or you can call
me on this telephone number: + 229 95213999

1. Given Name (As Stated in your ID)
2. Contact Address
3. Private Telephone/Fax number:
4. Nationality:
5. Age, Sex & occupation

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,
prince Owusu Koffi
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.
TELEPHONE: 00229-9521 3999

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam