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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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 us 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)
  • "lagos" (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.
  • +2347028162520

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Soonie Amao" <dasanche@itesm.mx>
Reply-To: soonieamao@yahoo.cl
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:34:41 -0700
Subject: Alert: Your Attention Is Officialy Needed

FROM THE DESK OF Mr.Soonie Amao (Msc ,FCA)
Spring Bank Plc, Rc 143186
Plot 143, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
Lagos Nigeria,
Tel: +234-702-816-2520

Hello,

My name is Mr.Soonie Amao a senior accountant with the Bank and the account
officer to late (Eng. John Davis) a National of your country with shell petroleum
development company SPDC who lost his life among others during an attack
by over 300 local militant on E.A .field Vessel at Amatu in Bayelsa state
of Nigeria on 21st October 2007.Unfortunately he did not reside in Nigeria
with his family or a relation except his dog and a female domestic staff
being a contractual staff. Since then all inquiries in his embassy here
in Nigeria to locate any of my client's immediate family or extended Relatives
,proved abortive till date ,I have therefore contacted you to assist me in
repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they
get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where some huge deposits
were lodged, particularly at SPRING BANK PLC.

The deceased had an account and asset valued at ($10.08 million US Dollars)
in this bank. After these several unsuccessful attempts, hence I contacted
you. However, as the ACCOUNTS MANAGER to the deceased, the bank has issued
me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated .Since
I have been unsuccessful in locating any of the relatives for some time now,
I seek your permission to present you as the next of kin of the deceased,
With your co-operation, therefore, the proceeds of this account valued at
($10.08million US Dollars) can be paid to you and you and I can share the
money in the ratio of 45 % to me and 45% to you while 10% goes for any charity
organization of your choice. An attorney will be contracted to help us revalidate
and notarize all the necessary legal documents that will be used to back
up our claims.

All I need is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you and I from any breach of the law. I will appreciate
some measure of confidentiality till we finish the transaction, because of
my position in the bank. May almighty lord bless you as you offer to assist
me over this.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Soonie Amao.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam