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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe 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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • albertgumell_2244@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "albert gumell" <albertgumell2@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:04:11 +0200
Subject: CAN YOU WORK WITH ME?


*From the Desk of Mr.Albert Gumell
Director for Audit/Accounting African Development Bank
Cotonou Republic of Benin,West Africa.
Tel; 229 9580 6148*

*Dear Freind, *

*I am sorry if this massage comes to as a supprise.

I am Mr. ALBERT GUMELL, Director for Audut and Accounting with the African
Development Bank Republic of Benin Republic. I have an urgent and very
confidential business proposition for you. I got your contact from the
world commercial center regional office Portnovo Republic of Benin West
Africa.*

*An oil consultant/contractor a big customer to our bank, MR. BARRY KELLY
made a numbered time (fixed) deposit for twelve calender months valued at
US$28,500,000.00 (Twenty Eight Million Five hundered Thousand United States
Dollars) in my branch, upon maturity. I sent a routine notification to his
forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and
finally we discovered that MR. BARRY KEELY,died in A plane Crash with his
family while traveling on a holidays wit the ,*

*(BEIRUT BOUND CHARTER JET PLANE CRASH HAPPENED ON THE 26TH DECEMBER 2003
IN COTONOU( REPUBLIC OF BENIN).WEBSITE(**
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash*<http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash>
*).*

*On further investigation, I found out that he did not leave a will and all
attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless. There is know next of
kin nor will. The sum of US$28.5 Million is still sitting in the bank
and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end
of each year.

According to the Republic of Benin Law, at the expiration of 4 (four)
years the money will be revert to the ownership of the Republic of
Benin Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Consequently, my
proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the Next
of kin to MR. BARRY KELLY, so that the fruits of this old man labour
will not get into the hands of some corrupt officials in the Republic
of Benin Government .

This is simple,

(1)I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address.
(2)Your Bank Account information anywhere in the world except Republic of
Benin.*

*The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio
of 60% for me and my coluegs,30% for you,while 10%will be set aside for any
envisiage expenses that might arise during the transfer.

There is no risk at all, as all modalities to transfer this fund has been
worked out, and my position as the Director for Audit and Accounting
Guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. *

*If you are interested, Please reply immediately via my private E-mail; **
albertgumell_2244@yahoo.com* <albertgumell_2244@yahoo.com>* or Phone;229
9580 6148.

Please, observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this
transaction will be most profitable for both us because I shall require
your assistant to invest my share in your country.

All you have to do is to stand as the deceased Next of Kin.

Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks and Best Regards.
Mr.Albert Gumell
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam