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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: lourencechuk@ymail.com
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:24:36 +0000
Subject: FROM MR LOURENCE CHUK


FROM MR LOURENCE CHUK.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
CONTINENTAL BANK COTONOU,
REPÃœBLIC OF BENIN.

My Dear friend

I am mr Lourence Chuk Director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of
continental bank cotonou republic of benin 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
Friday

December 26th 2003 as you can go through the website


http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
This crash happened here in Cotonou- Benin in Africa. And since his
untimely
death the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without
any claim
of the fund in ourcustody 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 th e whole plans and idea
be
Profitable and successful during the time of execution.


The said amount was usd$17.2M(Seventeen Million Two Hundred Thousand
United
States Dollars). As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive
information through my good friends who works with chamber of commerce
on
foreign business relations here in Cotonou-Benin,It is him who
recommended your
person to me to be viable and capable to champion a business 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. All needed
informations willbe relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and
willingness to assist us and also benefit yourself 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 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
designated bank
account.


May i at this point emphasize that this transaction is 100%
risk free as ihave made arrangements for a successful arrangement as
an
insider of the bank before contacting you. On smooth conclusion of
this
transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as
gratification,
while 10% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise
during the
time of transfer and also telephone bills, while 60% will be for me
and my
partners.


Please you have been adviced to keep this a top secret as we are still
in
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 on youracceptance
to
champion this transaction with me.
I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in
this deal.



Yours faithfully,


Mr Lourence Chuk.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam