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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • shepherdmorris@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Shepherd Morris" <shepherdmor1@googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:20:11 +0100
Subject: Business Proposal


Dear Friend,

I would appreciate your interest in this transaction. Let me start by
introducing myself to you fully. I am Mr Shepherd Morris, Accounts Manager,
of Natwest Bank Plc Bromley Road Branch. With due respect and to be sincere
with you I got your contact email discreetly via online during my personal
search for someone who would assist me. Initially I was very reluctant in
contacting you, however considering the fact that I cannot do this on my own
name, I was left with the only option of sending you an email.


On August 10th, 2004, a German contractor with the British Pertroleum
co-operation, United Kingdom, Mr Andreas Garnder Schranner made a numbered
time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at £30,000,000.00
(Thirty Million Pound only) in my branch.


Upon maturity,I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from his contract employers, the British Pertroleum co-orporation that Mr
Andreas Garnder Schranner died from an Automobile accident further
investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL,and all
attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.


I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr Andreas
Garnder Schranner did not declare any Next of kin or relations in all his
official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This
sum of £30,000,000.00 is still intact in my Bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever
come forward to claim it. According to inheritance Laws of the United
Kingdom, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the
ownership of the Local Government Authorities here in London, United
Kingdom, if nobody applies to claim the fund.


Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in as the next of
kin to Mr Andreas Garnder Schranner so that the fruits of this old man's
labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.
This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and
address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and
affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall employ
the services of an attorney for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to
obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your
favor for the transfer. The money will be paid into your account for us to
share in the ratio of 60% for me and 35% for you and 5% for Expenses
Incurred in the course of the transaction.


There is no risk at all, as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and with my position as the Manager with my bank will
guarantee the successful execution of this transaction. If you are
interested, please reply immediately to my private email box :
shepherdmorris@hotmail.com


Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand the transaction. You should observe
utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be
most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to
invest my share in your country.


Awaiting your urgent reply.


Thanks and regards,
Shepherd Morris.

Natwest Bank Plc,
Bromley Branch, Edinburgh,
EH1 1YZ.
Email: shepherdmorris@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam