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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:
  • "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)
  • "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Obi Kennedy" <ok5154209@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kenncontinental@live.com
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:58:57 +0100
Subject: Very Urgent Pls


INTER-CONTINENTAL BANK OF NIGERIA
PLOT 54 THOMAS STREET,VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS-NIGERIA (ACCOUNT OFFICIAL)
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIA.
EMAIL; kencontinental@live.com


My names are Mr Kennedy Obi, I am the regional manager of the
intercontinental Bank Of Nigeria PLC. I got your information during my
search through the Internet. I am 49years of age and married with 3 lovely
kids. It may interest you to hear that I am a man of PEACE who does not want
problem,But I don't know how you will feel about this.

I only hope we can assist each other.Despite the abuse of internet
communication,it still remain the best and the fastest way of communication
in the whole world.That is why I decided to come to you through email.


My dear, I am contacting you in regards to a business transaction
involving $7.5M(Seven Million Five Hundred thousand United states Dollars)
belonging to my Late customer Mr. Andreas Schranner, who works with Chevron
oil company here,he lost his life on Monday 31st of July 2000, along with
his wife, Maria and their children and even grand children in a plane crash,
the AF4590 Crash including all 109 people on board and five people who died
on the ground when the Plane crashed into the Hotelissimo,Up till now, his
account remains dormant.


Think what happens to money like this after 8years, when nobody comes for
the money as the next of kin for claim,this is the time when bank managers
make there secret money.


Let me refer you to the website below for more details:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm


This is why I have contacted you to stand as a next of kin so that this
money should be paid into your account, and I will share the money with you,
60% to me while 35% for you and 5% will be used for any expenses or tax that
might arise duing the period of the transaction,as your government may
require.


Since his death, none of his next-of-kin or relations has come forward to
lay claims to this money as the Heir.Remember,in Banking rules if nobody
comes for the money after 5yrs, they money will be confiscated,and this has
stayed more than 7YRS.


I cannot release the fund from his account to any body,unless someone
applies for claim as the next-of-kin to the deceased as indicated in our
banking guidelines.
Upon this discovery, I now seek your permission to have you stand as a next
of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out by
me for the funds $7.5M(Seven Million Five Hundred thousand United states
Dollars) to be released in your favor as the beneficiary's next of kin.


All I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this
deal through,after every thing, I will come over to your country for the
sharing of the money. It may interest you to note that I have secured from
the probate an order to locate any of deceased beneficiaries.


NEXT OF KIN could be a brother,a sister,a mother,a father, a friend, a
neigbour,in law and so on.So, you don't have to fear for anything, because I
will be here to be working everything on your behalf and be giving you guide
lines.


Please acknowledge the receipt of this message in acceptance of my mutual
business Endeavor by furnishing me with the following;

1. Your Full Names
2. Direct Telephone and Fax numbers.
3. Contact Address
4. Occupation
5. Age

Regards,
Mr.Kennedy Obi
Regional manager

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam