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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)
  • "please indicate your willingness" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "OMO MARK" <omo_mark08@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: dr.omo_marcluse@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:52:28 -0700
Subject: Can I Trust You


Dear Friend,
With due respect,and to whom it might concern. I wish this letter will not
come to you as a surprise. I am Mr OMO MARK, the auditing director First
Inland Bank Plc. Here in Lagos Nigeria.

We had a foreign customer Mr Daniel walker who deposited a huge sum of money
(US$15.5Million United States Dollars Only) with our bank. Eventually,this
customer was amongst the victims of the fatal car accident that claimed over
70 lives along Shagamu/Ikorodu Expressway on the 12-02-1999 in Lagos and
since then, we have not had anybody coming for the deceased funds/estate as
the next of kin, and I have been monitoring this account with my position
here in the bank for the past years.

However from the information that I have gathered, the deceased died along
side with the wife who is supose to produce the next of kin In view of
this,I search for someone who has the same last name and when i got your
contact my mind told me that you will be a good person that can help in this
deal.

That is why I write to solicit for your assistance to present you as the
next of kin as every other arrangement has been concluded by me and I am
only waiting for a foreigner to enable me move the fund to his/her account
for our mutual benefit.

This does not have any risk attached to it as all his secret information
that will be required from you by the bank is with me right now over here. I
therefore request you to confirm your interest by a return message and I
will furnish you with details on how to proceed to the bank for the claim.
Your interest will be negotiable before we commence the operation and upon
conclusion of the transaction, I will be flying over to meet you for
disbursement of the fund and investment in your country.

Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication.

(1) Your full name
(2) Your contact address
(3) Your tel and fax number

I look forward to hear from you so as to enble us forge ahead to achieve
this mutual benefit.

Best Regards.
Mr OMO MARK .

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam