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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:
  • "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)
  • "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: comfort_olisa29@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:16 +0000
Subject: FROM MRS COMFORT OLISA.



FROM MRS COMFORT OLISA.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
CONTINENTAL BANK COTONOU,
REPÃœBLIC OF BENIN.

My Dear

I am Mrs Comfort Olisa 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 our custody either from his family
orrelation 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 will be relayed to you as soon as
you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us andalso
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 i have made arrangements for a successful arrangement as
an insider of the bank before contacting you. On smooth conclusion of
this transaction, you will beentitled 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 your acceptance
to champion this transaction with us.

I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in
this deal.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs Comfort Olisa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam