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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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • ",500,000" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Harry Madu" <maduh@mcomail.com>
Date: 19 Aug 2008 13:09:31 -0000
Subject: Reminder: Money Transfer

Mr. Harry Madu

Branch Manager

Spring Bank Plc

1115A, Adeola Odeku Str

Victoria Island, Lagos State

Nigeria



Dear Friend



My name is Mr. Harry Madu. I am head office branch manager of SPRING Bank Plc, Nigeria. Presently I need your help to transfer US$17,500,000:00 abandoned by a customer of my bank that died so many years ago to your bank account. There is a major loophole I wish to

exploit in order to remit this fund to any bank account abroad of my choice. The deceased did not insert information about his next of kin in the provided portion of his account opening documents.



This means that any name I insert there automatically becomes beneficiary of this money, but such a person must be a foreign national. Fund transfer will therefore be on the pretext that you are his relative inheriting this estate, for which we shall easily obtain required approvals from relevant government departments to make everything legal.



If you agree to assist me we shall share this money according to the following ratio when it reaches your bank account:

(1.) 40% for you (US$7,000,000:00)

(2.) 60% for me (US$10,500,000:00)



While hoping that you will not betray me, I strongly urge you to keep all information concerning this business strictly confidential. PlEASE SEND YOUR REPLY TO harrymadu@ymail.com





Mr. Harry Madu

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam